Study objectives: Insomnia and snoring are common sleep disorders. The aim was to investigate the association of a combination of insomnia symptoms and snoring with comorbidity and daytime sleepiness.
Methods: The study population consisted of 25,901 subjects (16-75 years, 54.4% women) from four Swedish cities, who answered a postal questionnaire that contained questions on snoring, insomnia symptoms (difficulties initiating and/or maintaining sleep and/or early morning awakening), smoking, educational level and respiratory and non-respiratory disorders.
Results: Snoring was reported by 4,221 (16.2%), while 9,872 (38.1%) reported ≥ 1 insomnia symptom. A combination of insomnia symptoms and snoring was reported by 2,150 (8.3%). The association with hypertension (OR 1.4, 95% CI: 1.2-1.6), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR 1.8, 95% CI: 1.3-2.4), asthma (OR 1.9; 95% CI: 1.6-2.3), daytime sleepiness (OR 7.9, 95% CI 7.1-8.8) and the use of hypnotics (OR 7.5, 95% CI: 6.1-9.1) was highest for the group with both insomnia symptoms and snoring.
Conclusions: Subjects with snoring and insomnia combined run an increased risk of hypertension, COPD, asthma, daytime sleepiness and the use of hypnotics. It is important to consider snoring in patients seeking medical assistance for insomnia and, vice versa, in patients with snoring enquire about insomnia.
Keywords: Snoring, insomnia, daytime sleepiness, hypertension, COPD, asthma