Association between sleep bruxism and snoring in adults: An observational study

This study evaluated the association between sleep bruxism and snoring. Additionally, the associations between sleep bruxism and age, sex, body mass index, sleep structure, sleep quality, and sleepiness were evaluated.

Adults suspected of having sleep disorders (n = 61) underwent single-night video polysomnography according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine criteria. Validated questionnaires were used to assess sleepiness and sleep quality, and clinical examinations were performed to document weight and height. Jamovi software was used for statistical analysis. Logistic regression analyses of the different sleep stages-REM sleep, NREM sleep, and total sleep time-were conducted.

No association was found between sleep bruxism and snoring (P > 0.31), with a small effect size (V = 0.171). However, the snore index was found to influence the rhythmic masticatory muscle activity index during REM sleep, with an odds ratio of 1.018 (95 % CI: 1.005 to 1.03; P = 0.05). Moreover, logistic regression showed that the desaturation index presented an odds ratio of 5.01 (95 % CI: 0.96 to 26.13; p = 0.056), with a medium effect size (>3.5). Sleep bruxism was not associated with age, sex, body mass index, or other sleep variables.

Snoring appears to be associated with bruxism during REM sleep. No associations were found between sleep bruxism and sex, age, or body mass index. This lack of association underscores the complexity of sleep bruxism and snoring and highlights the need for further research. Concerning sleep architecture, only desaturation episodes were associated with bruxism during REM sleep. Neither sleep quality nor sleepiness was associated with sleep bruxism.