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Clinical and polygraphic evolution of sleep-related breathing disorders in adolescents

¹ Medical-Surgical Unit of Respiratory Diseases, Depts of ² Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, and ³ Critical Care Medicine, Virgen del Rocio University Hospital, and ⁴ Dept of Statistics, Seville University, Seville, Spain.

CORRESPONDENCE: A. Sánchez-Armengol, Urb. Ciudad Expo, c/La Pinta, 58, - 2° B, Mairena del Aljarafe, 41927 Seville, Spain. Fax: 34 955012191. E-mail: m.sanchez.armengol.sspa{at}juntadeandalucia.es

Keywords: Adolescence, follow-up, obesity, sex, sleep-related breathing disorders

Received: October 11, 2007
Accepted June 3, 2008

It has been suggested that sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) involve a continuum that develops over the course of life. If modifiable factors could be identified, the progression of SRBD could perhaps be addressed early in life. Although some studies have looked at the evolution of SRBD in pre-pubertal children, very few studies obtained data in adolescents.

Anthropometric, clinical and polygraphic variables were collected during a 4-yr follow-up study among 148 normal adolescents after initial cross-sectional analysis.

From a total of 267 adolescents studied at baseline (mean±SD age 14.3±2.1 yrs), 148 (55.4%) were followed up for 4 yrs. During follow-up, there were no significant changes in snoring and polygraphic parameters. However, a tendency toward weight gain with centrally distributed fat was observed. Habitual snorers had a significantly higher body mass index and more centrally distributed fat than nonsnorers. Males had a higher snoring prevalence and a higher number of respiratory events than females. Snoring at baseline, male sex and poor academic performance were significant predictors of snoring at follow-up.

Snoring tends to persist during adolescence and male sex acts as a risk factor. A relationship between snoring and academic performance was observed. These findings may have implications for long-term management of sleep-related breathing disorders.