Relationship between sleep bruxism and obstructive sleep apnoea: A population-based survey

Area of Science:

• Sleep Medicine
• Neurology
• Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• Sleep bruxism (SB) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are common sleep disorders.
• Previous research suggests a potential association between SB and OSA.
• Understanding this relationship is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between current sleep bruxism and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea.
• To examine differences in OSA-related symptoms between individuals with and without a history of SB.

Main Methods:

• An online survey assessed SB using the Standardized Tool for the Assessment of Bruxism (STAB).
• Obstructive sleep apnoea symptoms were evaluated using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and STOP-BANG questionnaires.
• Statistical analyses included Spearman correlation and Mann-Whitney U tests.

Main Results:

• 45.7% reported current SB, and 39.1% had a history of SB.
• A significant portion of the sample (73.7%) had a low risk of OSA.
• No significant correlations were found between current SB and OSA symptoms, nor significant differences between SB history groups.

Conclusions:

• This study did not find a significant association between self-reported sleep bruxism and obstructive sleep apnoea.
• No differences in OSA symptoms were observed based on a history of sleep bruxism.
• Further research may be needed to clarify the complex relationship between these conditions.