Geographical and Seasonal Impact on snoring prevalence - A study based on Internet search frequencies

Abstract

Introduction: Recent studies indicate an impact of temperature and geographic location on sleep related breathing disturbances (SRBD). However, results are contradictory and still under discussion.

Aims: We investigated the Internet search for snoring as an indicator for the observation of this sleep disturbance.

Methods: Keyword (KW) search was performed via Google Trends in 2010-2020. KW included: snoring, apnea, catching cold (CC), cold weather (CW), wine and weight. Search frequencies were extracted worldwide (WW) and the USA in English and, additionally, in the local language for Portugal, Germany, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. Exported results were analysed via SPSS.

Results: Maximum snoring peaked during winter (January 82,82±13,7) with a minimum during summer (June 56,27±9,4). A one-way Anova analysis revealed a significant difference between winter and summer in all included countries (p<0.001) except in Sweden. In the regression analysis we found the prediction of snore searches WW were related to CC (B:0,62; p<0.001), wine (B:5.09; p<0.001), weight (B:0.74; p<0.001) and less clear cold weather (B:0.12; p=0.09). The overall model reached an adjusted R2 of 0,57 (p<0.001). For Saudi Arabia and Egypt only, cold weather reached statistical significance. A search for apnoea revealed no statistical significance in any variable.

Conclusions: We could demonstrate that the frequency of Internet searches for snoring has a significant seasonal pattern. This might reflect the direct contact of the bedpartner with this sleep disturbance. Both maximum search frequency and explanatory factors are influenced by the geographical location. Further research in this topic is warranted.