Prevalence of signs and symptoms suggestive of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in Guangxi,China

Background

The prevalence, profiles, and potential risk factors of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in China are largely unknown.

Objectives

This study aims to investigate the prevalence, profiles, and potential risk factors for snoring and OSAHS in Guangxi, China, and the association between OSAHS and ethnicity.

Methods

Urban and rural population-based cluster samples were randomly selected in each of eight counties/cities. All residents aged 14 years or older in the selected clusters were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire. A subject was considered to have clinically diagnosed OSAHS if snoring was loud and habitual, breathing pauses were observed, and the subject experienced excessive daytime sleepiness.

Results

Among 12,742 sampled subjects, 10,819 completed the questionnaire (response rate?=?84.9 %). The overall OSAHS prevalence was 4.1 % (men, 5.7 % (5.1–6.3 %); women, 2.4 % (2.0–2.9 %); Zhuang people, 3.2 % (2.8–3.7 %); Han people 6.0 % (5.2–6.8 %).The overall rate of habitual snoring was 11.5 % (men, 17.1 % (16.1–18.1 %); women, 5.6 % (5.0–6.2 %)). Univariate analysis showed that the OSAHS prevalence was significantly higher among the following groups: urban residents, elderly individuals, smokers, drinkers, those with higher body mass indexes (BMI), those with more years of schooling, those with nasal problems, those whose parents are Han, and those who usually sleep in prone position. However, multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that only urban residency, age, smoking status, drinking status, and BMI were the risk factors for OSAHS.

Conclusions

OSAHS is prevalent in individuals aged 14 years or older in Guangxi, China. Han and Zhuang people differ significantly in their obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) prevalence, but this difference is explained by the combination of classic OSA risk factors.