Biomedical subjects

P Jennum

Publications and source records attributed to P Jennum.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1995

Repetitive magnetic stimulation and motor evoked potentials.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of varying stimulus rates of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (RTMS) on the motor evoked potentials (MEPs) recorded from the right abductor pollicis brevis muscle (APB). Thirteen normals were included. Stimuli were applied to the cortex and to the median nerve at the wrist. The cortical stimuli were applied without and with facilitation. Stimulus intensity was 1.2 times the motor threshold (TmAPB) for cortical stimulation and supramaximal for peripheral stimulation. Stimulus rates were 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 and 20 Hz. Nine pulses were applied in each stimulus series. At stimulus rates between 1 and 3 Hz no amplitude changes were observed throughout the stimulation. At 5 Hz stimulation inhibition of some of the MEPs was observed followed by MEPs with increased amplitude. At 10 Hz stimulation some MEPs were totally inhibited, interrupted by an MEP with increased amplitude, resembling clonic contraction. At 20 Hz the inhibition of the MEPs decreased (P < 0.05) compared to 10 Hz stimulation. Facilitation decreased the inhibition at 5 and 10 Hz stimulation (P < 0.01). On peripheral stimulation a decrement was observed with stimulus rates of 10 and 20 Hz. The study shows that RTMS exerts a complex influence on the MEPs depending upon stimulus rates. The pronounced inhibition and excitation of the MEPs at 5 and 10 Hz stimulation possibly reflects inhibition and excitation in the cortico-spinal neurons.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Snoring, family history, and genetic markers in men. The Copenhagen Male Study.

BACKGROUND: No studies have attempted to examine the genetic influence on the habit of snoring. The aim of the present study was to examine whether an association existed between self-reported snoring and family history of snoring and a number of genetic markers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data were derived from a primarily cardiovascular disease cohort study of 3,387 men aged 54 to 74 years. A number of sleep-related questions were included. Some 3,308 men had given valid questionnaire information on snoring and whether they had their own bedroom due to snoring and were regarded eligible for the present study. Men who reported that they snored often or always were considered habitual snorers, and those who reported that they seldom or never snored were considered nonsnorers. We considered habitual snorers who reported that they had their own bedroom due to snoring to be a group with a presumably more severe form of snoring. Information about other health and lifestyle parameters was obtained from a comprehensive questionnaire. Four major blood groups were determined: ABO, Rhesus, MNS, and Lewis, together with complement C3. A saliva sample was taken for determination of ABH secretor status. RESULTS: There was a strong relationship between habitual snoring and family history of snoring among grandparents, parents, siblings, and children. Odds ratios were from 2.4 to 4.2, and all associations were significant (p < 0.05). In multivariable analysis, the factor which most strongly separated habitual snorers from nonsnorers, was self-reported habitual snoring among family members. Looking at habitual snorers only, the factors most strongly separating those with their own bedroom due to snoring from those without, were the Lewis blood group phenotype, Le(a+b-) (29.6 vs 18.8%; p < 0.001; age, 63.4 vs 62.1 years; p < 0.01), and selfreported family history of habitual snoring (35.2 vs 29.0%; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There was an overall strong association between habitual snoring and family history of snoring. Among habitual snorers, two genetic markers and age, were the only factors that separated men who had their own bedroom due to snoring from others. The results of this study indicate that snoring, to some extent, is hereditary.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1995

Risk of ischemic heart disease in self-reported snorers. A prospective study of 2,937 men aged 54 to 74 years: the Copenhagen Male Study.

Former studies have demonstrated an association between habitual snoring and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Control for the influence of potential confounders has been inadequate. To further elucidate the issue, we examined the association between snoring and future risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) while controlling for a number of major cardiovascular risk factors and potential effect modifiers. Some 2,937 men without overt cardiovascular disease, aged 54 to 74 y (mean = 63 years), were classified according to snoring habits and followed up prospectively during 6 years (1985 to 1991). Potential cardiovascular disease risk factors included in the study were as follows: smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, hypertension, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI) (kg x m-2), social class, and serum concentrations of selenium, cotinine, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides. During the 6-year follow-up period, 182 men (6.2%) had an IHD event (42 were fatal), and 274 men died from all causes (9.3%). There was no difference in the prevalence of snorers among those who had an IHD event and those who did not during the follow-up period, 49.9% vs 50.5%, respectively. Among the younger half of the cohort (54 to 63 years), the age-adjusted incidence of IHD was slightly but not significantly increased in snorers, relative risk (RR) = 1.2 (0.8 to 1.9). When adjustments were made for relevant confounders--use of tobacco, alcohol consumption, and BMI--the RR dropped to 1.0 (0.6 to 1.6). Among the older half (64 to 74 years), there was no increased risk in snorers, RR = 1.0 (0.7 to 1.6). We conclude that there was a slightly increased risk that did not reach statistical significance of IHD in snorers. After multivariate adjustment, snoring was not associated with risk of IHD in middle-aged and elderly men.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

Headache and cognitive dysfunctions in snorers. A cross-sectional study of 3323 men aged 54 to 74 years: the Copenhagen Male Study.

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive symptoms, headache, and sleep-related complaints, including snoring, are commonly reported by patients with sleep apnea. Because patients with sleep apnea generally are snorers, we decided to study whether snoring per se is associated with cognitive complaints and headache. DESIGN: Cross-sectional epidemiologic follow-up study. SETTING: General community. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 3323 men, aged 54 to 74 years, previously selected from among employees of public or private companies in the Copenhagen, Denmark, area. METHOD: Participants were classified according to self-reported snoring habits and these were compared with self-reported cognitive complaints and headache. Fourteen potential confounders were included. RESULTS: The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for headache was 1.5 (1.3 to 1.8, P < .0001) for self-reported snorers after adjustments for age, body mass index, and alcohol and tobacco consumption, whereas no relationships were found between snoring and memory or concentration problems in the total population. Snoring was not related to use of central nervous system medication; previous stroke; presence of parkinsonism, epilepsy, or psychiatric diseases; previous head trauma; or exposure to organic solvents. Hypersomnia was significantly associated with snoring (P < .0001), headache (P < .0001), memory problems (P < .0001), concentration problems (P < .0001), age (P < .01), body mass index (P < .001), and alcohol consumption (P < .05) and negatively correlated with smoking (P < .0001). Irrespective of the severity of hypersomnia, no association was found between snoring and memory or concentration problems. The relationship between snoring and headache was independent of severity of hypersomnia. CONCLUSIONS: Snoring is associated with headache but not with cognitive dysfunction. Hypersomnia shows a correlation to cognitive problems. If associations are found between snoring and cognitive dysfunction, these may be related in part to the presence of hypersomnia.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

EEG changes following repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been proposed as an epileptogenic activating procedure in the evaluation of patients with partial epilepsy. With the introduction of repetitive (rapid rate) transcranial magnetic stimulation (RTMS), it has been possible to apply cortical stimuli with a stimulus rate up to 50 Hz. This study was conducted in order to evaluate the epileptogenic effect of RTMS. Ten patients suffering from medically intractable temporal lobe epilepsy were included. As a part of the presurgical evaluation all patients were studied with ictal video-EEG scalp recordings during a period of discontinuation of the antiepileptic treatment. Eight RTMS trains were applied to left and right temporal and frontal areas, using a stimulus intensity of 1.2 x Tm (the motor threshold to a twitch in the right hand), a stimulus duration of 1 s and a stimulus frequency of 30 Hz. 50 Hz stimulations, with a stimulus duration of 1 s and a stimulus intensity of 1.2 x Tm, were applied on both anterior temporal regions, in total 10 TMS and 340 RTMS pulses to each patient. The numbers of sharp waves/spikes and low-frequency potentials were lower (P < 0.01) compared to prestimulus values and returned to prestimulation values within 10 min. In no cases paroxysmal activity was provoked and no seizures developed. The study indicates that RTMS as used in this study is not effective as an activation procedure for paroxysmal activity. As the risk of seizures may depend on the stimulus parameters, further studies are needed in order to evaluate the safety of the RTMS.

Electroencephalography↗

PubMed1994

Snoring and risk of stroke and ischaemic heart disease in a 70 year old population. A 6-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: A number of studies have demonstrated an association between habitual snoring and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Control for the influence of potential confounders has been inadequate. To clarify the issue we examined the association between snoring and future risk of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke while controlling for the potential influence of major cardio- and cerebrovascular risk factors. METHODS: In all, 804 70 year old males and females were classified according to snoring habits. Alcohol and tobacco consumption, blood pressure, body mass index, social group, plasma lipids (triglycerides, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein), fasting blood glucose, plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine were determined at baseline. RESULTS: Over a 6-year period (1984-1990) 88 suffered an IHD episode, 60 had a stroke and 180 died. A slightly higher stroke incidence was found among snorers (relative risk [RR] = 1.8; (95% confidence interval: 1.1-3.6). When adjustments were made for the above confounders, no associations could be found between snoring and IHD, stroke or all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In a 70 year old population, snoring is not associated with an increased risk of IHD, stroke or all-cause mortality.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

Language function following subdural grid-directed temporal lobectomy.

The purpose of the study was to determine the extent to which a temporal resection may be undertaken without producing risk to temporal language areas. Patients undergoing craniotomy and placement of a subdural electrode array (SEA) for evaluation of intractable epilepsy were studied to determine the variability of distance of temporal language cortex from the temporal pole. Hemisphere dominance was determined by intracarotid sodium amytal injection. Temporal lobe speech arrest (SA) was mapped with a 64 contact point SEA. Thirty-one patients had left dominant hemisphere SEAs. Thirty had SA 5 cm to 9 cm from the temporal pole (median 7 cm). One had SA at 3 cm. Twenty-one patients subsequently had temporal lobectomy (TL). Mean extent of resection was 5.7 cm (range 3 to 9 cm). In 18 TL patients who had neuropsychometric evaluation of language function pre- and post-surgery, there was no significant deterioration. Thirty-nine patients had right non-dominant SEAs placed. Eighteen had TL. Thirteen of these had pre- and post-surgery language evaluation and there was no significant change. Comparison of preoperative scores showed significant superiority of the right non-dominant group over the left dominant group for naming. TL up to 5 cm without stimulation mapping of language areas would be safe in the majority of cases, but one subject (3%) had SA mapped anterior to this and a small number of cases may therefore be at risk to language function following a 5 cm TL. Extensive lateral resections up to 9 cm are possible with preservation of language function with stimulation cortical mapping.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Transcranial magnetic stimulation. Its role in the evaluation of patients with partial epilepsy.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a relative new method in the evaluation of patients with various neurological diseases. With the introduction of repetitive (rapid rate) transcranial magnetic stimulators (RTMS), it has been possible to apply cortical stimuli with a stimulus rate up to 100 Hz. The preliminary results with TRMS suggest that it may be used in the study of speech lateralization. Seizures have been reported in patients with partial epilepsy during TMS. In these cases it remains uncertain whether the seizures were induced by the TMS or coincidentally with it. Minor changes in paroxysmal activity have been reported in some patients. These data suggest, that TMS is neither sensitive nor specific as an activation procedure of the epileptic focus in patients with partial epilepsy. Seizures have been provoked using RTMS, but its use as a seizure-inducing method is not yet evaluated.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed1994

Self-assessed cognitive function in snorers and sleep apneics. An epidemiological study of 1,504 females and males aged 30-60 years: the Dan-MONICA II Study.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the relation between every-night (habitual) snoring, sleep apnea and cognitive complaints (concentration and memory problems) in an adult population-based sample. In the Dan-MONICA (MONItoring trends in CArdiovascular diseases) 1,504 males and females aged 30, 40, 50 and 60 years were classified according to their snoring habits. Nocturnal respiration was measured in 748 participants. The following measures were regarded as potential confounders: age, gender, unintended sleepiness, insomnia, depression, hypnotic use, alcohol and tobacco consumption by questionnaire, body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure. Concentration and memory problems were both related to depression, insomnia and unintended sleepiness. Snoring and sleep apnea (defined as a respiratory distress index - RDI > or = 5), were associated with concentration problems and unintended sleepiness. The odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) between snoring, concentration and memory problems, calculated by logistic regression analysis after adjustments of the above confounders, were 1.90 (1.23-2.91, p < 0.01) and 1.38 (0.97-1.99, NS). For those with sleep apnea, the odds ratios were 3.53 (1.42-8.73, p < 0.001) and 1.51 (0.81-2.14, NS) for concentration and memory problems, respectively. The main conclusion drawn from this study is that cognitive complaints show a high correlation to mood, insomnia, and hypersomnia. Habitual snoring and sleep apnea show a correlation to concentration problems, but not to memory complaints. This suggests that part of the association between snoring, sleep apnea and cognitive dysfunction is related to the presence of sleep disturbances and daytime sleepiness.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Speech localization using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation.

To evaluate whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (RTMS) may be used for speech localization, we compared the results from RTMS with the intracarotid amobarbital test (IAT) in 21 patients undergoing surgical treatment (amygdalohippocampectomy or anterior temporal lobe resection) for medically intractable partial epilepsy. None of the patients had aphasia. We stimulated the temporal and frontal cortex on each side at a frequency of 30 Hz for 1 second and increased the intensity until speech was inhibited. A list of words and forward and backward counting were used to test speech function. The IAT was performed on the hemisphere of proposed surgery by unilateral injection and simultaneous regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) recordings. In one patient, there was doubt about hemisphere dominance and a second bilateral IAT was performed. Fifteen patients had left-sided speech dominance; one, left-sided dominance and a moderate right-sided speech inhibition; two, right-sided speech dominance; and one, bilateral speech representations (bilateral injection at the IAT) with both techniques. One patient showed bilateral with right-sided speech dominance by RTMS and showed right-sided speech inhibition with right-sided injection only at the IAT procedure. One patient differed from the rest, showing bilateral representations with right-sided speech dominance with RTMS and left-sided speech inhibition by IAT with left-sided injection only. The concordance was 95%. None of the patients had seizures provoked by the procedure. We conclude that speech localization with RTMS shows a high concordance with the results from the IAT and may be useful in addition to traditional techniques in speech localization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Snoring, sympathetic activity and cardiovascular risk factors in a 70 year old population.

In order to describe the relation between snoring, cardiovascular risk factors, metabolic factors and sympathetitic activity, 804 70-year-old males and females were classified according to snoring habits and life-style factors (alcohol and tobacco consumption), blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), plasma lipids (triglycerides, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein), plasma catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine), fasting blood glucose and glucose tolerance test (1 gram glucose per kg body weight given and blood glucose was measured 1 and 2 hours thereafter) were evaluated in all participants. Self-reported snoring was associated with gender (males showed higher prevalence than females, p < 0.05), alcohol consumption (p < 0.01), BMI (p < 0.001), systolic (p < 0.01) and diastolic (p < 0.05) blood pressure, glucose tolerance test (p < 0.01), plasma norepinephrine (p < 0.05) and partly with tobacco consumption (p = 0.08). No associations were found between snoring and fasting glucose, plasma lipids, plasma epinephrine or in the use of antihypertensive medication. In multivariate analysis, with forced entry of gender, BMI, physical activity, alcohol and tobacco consumption, the relation between snoring and blood pressure ceased; only systolic blood pressure was associated with snoring (p < 0.05). Snoring was still associated with plasma norepinephrine (p < 0.001) and abnormal glucose tolerance (p < 0.001). We conclude that, in a 70-year-old population, snoring is associated with gender, BMI and alcohol consumption. Snores showed higher plasma norepinephrine and abnormal glucose tolerance.

Aged↗

PubMed1993

Snoring, sleep apnoea and cardiovascular risk factors: the MONICA II Study.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the cardiovascular risk profile in self-reported snorers and sleep apnoeics in an adult representatively-selected population. A total of 1504 males and females, aged 30, 40, 50 and 60 years were included. The following were measured: snoring, alcohol and tobacco consumption by questionnaire, blood pressure, serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) and total cholesterol. Nocturnal respiration was determined in 748 participants. Respiratory distress index (RDI) was defined as the number of apnoea and hypopnoea lasting longer than 10 seconds per hour sleep. Habitual snoring was reported by 19.1% (9.2-24.2%, aged 30-60 years) of males and 7.9% (3.8-11.7%, age 30-60 years) of females. An RDI > or = 5 was found in 10.9% (7.1-18.3%, age 30-60 years) of males and in 6.3% (5.3-7.6%, age 30-60 years) of females. The following factors were associated with snoring: age (P < 0.02), sex (P < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.0001), alcohol (P < 0.05) and tobacco (P < 0.01) consumption. An RDI > or = 5 was associated with sex (P < 0.001), age (P < 0.05), BMI (P < 0.0001), tobacco (P < 0.02) and alcohol (P < 0.05) consumption. Self-reported snores showed higher systolic (P < 0.001) and diastolic (P < 0.001) blood pressure and total cholesterol (P < 0.001) and a lower HDL (P < 0.001). The participants with RDI > or = 5 showed higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.001) and total cholesterol (P < 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Pathology of skeletal muscle in fibromyalgia: a histo-immuno-chemical and ultrastructural study.

The value of muscle biopsy in fibromyalgia is still questioned. In this study we obtained 50 quadriceps biopsies from 20 patients and compared them blindly to 10 biopsies from five normal controls. Using light microscopy, histochemical and immunoenzymatic methods we found no definite evidence of muscle disease. Nevertheless, we subjected biopsies from nine of the patients and five other controls for further ultrastructural evaluations and demonstrated pathologic findings e.g. empty sleeves of basement membrane, many lipofuschin bodies and other degenerative changes. We conclude that ultrastructural evaluation cannot yet be used for diagnostic purposes, but the negative findings with light microscopy, including histochemical and immunoenzymatic techniques, might be of importance in evaluating difficult cases.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Cognitive function and snoring.

The relationship between self-reported snoring, headache and cognitive complaints (memory and concentration problems) was evaluated in an epidemiologic survey including 3,323 males, with a mean age of 63 (53-75) years. Fourteen potential confounders were examined. A strong association between snoring and headache was found, persisting after correction for potential confounders. An association was found between snoring and cognitive complaints only in those who reported good sleep quality without insomnia.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Outcome of resective surgery for intractable partial epilepsy guided by subdural electrode arrays.

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the outcome and the factors predictive for a good prognosis of resective surgery for intractable partial epilepsy guided by subdural electrode arrays (SEA's) and operative electrocorticography. Sixty-four patients, aged 8-52 years, were evaluated with chronic SEAs in order to record interictal and ictal activity and delineate speech and motor areas by functionally mapping. Resection were individualized to each patient's SEA recorded electrocorticogram and operative electrocorticogram and functional mapping results (tailored resection). The follow-up time was a minimum of one year. Good seizure outcome was defined as seizure free from complex partial and secondary generalized seizures. After one year 70% of the patients with a temporal ictal focus was seizure free compared to 55% of the patients with an extra-temporal focus. Complete resection of interictal or ictal fields as mapped with SEAs, gave better prognosis than partial resection. Patients with no postresection spikes had a better prognosis than patients with residual postresection spikes evaluated with operative electrocorticography. Sex, age, duration of epilepsy prior to surgery, extent of temporal lobe resection and structural abnormalities determined by MRI were not associated with a favorable seizure outcome after surgery. We conclude that complete resection of the interictal and ictal field mapped with SEA's and absence of postresection spikes on operative electrocorticography are associated with an excellent seizure outcome.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Effect of barbiturate on epileptiform activity: comparison between intravenous and oral administration. Sphenoidal, zygomatic and temporal recordings.

The present study was performed in order to compare: 1) the differences between oral and intravenous barbiturate on interictal epileptiform activity (sharp-waves and spikes) in the EEG, and 2) interictal epileptiform activity in the sphenoidal electrode compared to the temporal and zygomatic electrodes (an electrode placed at the cutaneous entry of the sphenoidal electrode) during intravenous barbiturate administration in patients with epilepsy. Two procedures were performed: 1) an oral pentobarbital sleep induction with 10-20 electrode placement including a zygomatic electrode, and 2) an intravenous thiopental sleep induction with the same electrode placement including a sphenoidal electrode. Thirty eight patients with complex partial seizures were included. During the oral pentobarbital procedure 34 of 38 (90%) patients showed interictal epileptiform activity compared with 22 of 38 (55%) patients during the intravenous thiopental procedure (p < 0.005). A interictal epileptiform focus was observed in 33 (87%) patients in the oral procedure and in 19 (50%) patients in the intravenous procedure (p < 0.01). Interictal epileptiform activity recorded in the sphenoidal electrode was also recorded in the zygomatic electrode. Except from two patients a good correlation was observed between the zygomatic electrodes and the F7/F8 electrodes. We conclude that administration of intravenous thiopental offers no advantage compared to the administration of oral pentobarbital as an activating procedure, and for standard interictal EEG recordings with sleep activation procedures, suitable places scalp electrodes including a zygomatic electrode with the use of oral pentobarbital may be sufficient.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1993

Sleep and other symptoms in primary fibromyalgia and in healthy controls.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate sleep architecture and self-reported complaints in patients with fibromyalgia (FS). Forty patients and 10 age standardized healthy controls were included. All participants were women. METHODS: All patients and controls underwent a clinical examination and gave answers to a questionnaire. Polysomnography was done in 20 patients and in all controls. RESULTS: The percent arousal time and arousal index were higher (p < 0.05 and < 0.01, respectively) among FS compared to controls, but no other differences were found in sleep architecture. Ten of the patients with FS and 2 controls showed an apnea-hypoapnea index above 5/h (NS). The arousal time and arousal index were higher in patients with apnea-hypoapnea index > or = 5 compared to controls with apnea-hypoapnea index < 5 [mean (SD)] [arousal time: 4.5 (3.2) vs 0.7 (0.7), p < 0.001, arousal index: 14.9 (10.8) vs 2.4 (3.7), p < 0.001]. In patients with FS with apnea-hypoapnea index < 5 the arousal time was higher (2.0 (1.2), p < 0.05) and arousal index marginally higher (5.6 (3.2), p = 0.07) compared to the controls. No other differences were found in sleep structure. Insomnia (difficulties falling asleep, maintaining sleep, early morning awakening), tiredness, mood, cognitive disturbances and muscular pain were all reported more commonly by patients with FS than controls. A subdivision of the patients with FS into those with apnea-hypoapnea index < 5 and apnea-hypoapnea index > or = 5 did not change these findings. CONCLUSION: We conclude, that patients with FS show minor polysomnographic findings, with a higher occurrence of arousals. The arousals were in part explained by respiratory abnormalities. Patients with FS have several complaints, including insomnia. Some of these may relate to sleep fragmentation. Controlled studies are a requirement in investigations of sleep disorders in fibromyalgia.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Cardiovascular risk factors in snorers. A cross-sectional study of 3,323 men aged 54 to 74 years: the Copenhagen Male Study.

Former studies on the association between snoring and cardiovascular disease (CVD) have only partly taken established CVD risk factors into consideration. In the Copenhagen Male Study, 3,323 men aged 54 to 74 years were classified according to self-reported snoring habits. Eleven CVD risk factors were examined. The prevalence of snoring decreased with age, with a 50 percent higher frequency of snorers among the youngest quintile than among the oldest (p < 0.00001). Snoring, age adjusted, was positively associated with tobacco smoking (p < 0.001), alcohol consumption (p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.0001), serum triglyceride level (p < 0.01), systolic blood pressure (p < 0.05) and nearly significantly associated with diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.07). Snorers were less physically active in leisure time than others (p < 0.01). The association between self-reported snoring and blood pressure disappeared when other factors, including BMI, were taken into consideration. No significant associations were found between snoring and social class, snoring and low- or high-density lipoprotein or between snoring and hypertension. We conclude that snoring is associated with major cardiovascular risk factors. Accordingly, it is evident that in studies on snoring and CVD, proper controlling for the influence of potential confounders is a sine qua non.

Aged↗