BMI is an independent risk factor for snoring in Chinese women aged over 30 years.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to analyze body mass index (BMI) as one of risk factors for snoring in Chinese women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Totally, 2,938 women (2,423 available for evaluation of menstrual status) aged over 30 years from a population-based epidemiologic study were enrolled. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS For those with regular menstrual status, BMI was the main risk factor with OR 3.906 (BMI >or=25 kg/m(2)) and 8.467 (BMI >or=30 kg/m(2)), respectively, compared with those of BMI 20-25 kg/m(2) (p < 0.001). For postmenopausal women, BMI was also indicated as a risk factor with OR 2.041 (BMI >or=25 kg/m(2)) and 2.884 (BMI >or=30 kg/m(2)) compared with those of BMI 20-25 kg/m(2) (p < 0.01). As for different BMI, menopause was the only risk factor for women with BMI < 20 kg/m(2) (OR = 10.568, p < 0.05). Whereas for those with BMI between 20 and 25 kg/m(2), the risk factors included post-menopause, family history, drinking, etc. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the prevalence of snoring was correlated with BMI independent of menstrual status, and lower BMI is a protective factor against snoring in premenopausal women.