Association of self-reported snoring and hyperuricaemia: a large cross-sectional study in Chongqing, China

To examine the relationship between self-reported snoring and hyperuricaemia in a large-scale population in Chongqing, China.

Face-to-face electronic questionnaire survey, physical examination and biological sample testing were conducted in 13 districts of Chongqing. Chongqing is a municipality in southwest China.

In this study, 23 308 Han ethnicity permanent residents aged 30-79 years were recruited. Individuals missing data were excluded, 22 389 subjects were included in final analysis.

Serum uric acid (UA) was measured using an oxidase method. Hyperuricaemia was defined as serum UA >420 µmol/L in men and >360 µmol/L in women. Information about self-reported snoring was obtained by questionnaire survey. All participants were divided into 'no snoring' 'snoring occasionally' and 'snoring frequently'. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between self-reported snoring and hyperuricaemia.

The prevalence of hyperuricaemia was 14.43%, and snorers were more likely to have hyperuricaemia than non-snorer in different age and gender groups. For the total population, those who snore occasionally or frequently were more likely to be hyperuricaemia (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.31; OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.47) compared with no snoring people. Stratification by age, gender and body mass index (BMI), we found that the positive association between snoring frequently and hyperuricaemia was insisted in different age, gender and high BMI groups, and the strength of association varied with different age, gender and BMI category.

Snoring frequency was positively associated with higher risk of hyperuricaemia. Snoring frequently may be a signal for hyperuricaemia, especially for women, those over 59 years of age, or those who are overweight or obese.