Self-reported snoring and metabolic syndrome: the Korean Multi-Rural Communities Cohort Study

We investigated the association between self-reported snoring and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components among a community-dwelling Korean population.

A total of 7,038 subjects participated in the Korean Multi-Rural Communities Cohort Study between January 2005 and February 2010 and were included in the analysis. Frequency of snoring was classified into never, rarely (<1 day/week), occasionally (1-3 days/week), and habitually (≥4 days/week).

In the fully adjusted model, compared to non-snorers, the odds ratio (OR) for MetS of snorers was significantly higher in subjects with rare snoring (OR, 1.42; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.23-1.64), occasional snoring (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.55-2.07), and habitual snoring (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.77-2.33) than those who did not snore. The ORs for abdominal obesity were significantly higher in rare snoring subjects (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.30-1.75), occasional snoring (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.47-1.98), and habitual snoring (OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.80-2.38) than in non-snorers after adjusting for covariates.

Snoring was significantly and linearly associated with MetS, and this association was consistently present in both sexes. Positive and graded associations were observed between snoring frequency and MetS components including high blood pressure, elevated fasting glucose levels, and abdominal obesity, independent of conventional risk factors and other MetS components.