Prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing among adolescents and its association with the presence of obesity and hypertension

INTRODUCTION The increased prevalence of sleepdisordered breathing (SDB) and its association with obesity and hypertension (HTN) have not been thoroughly explored in adolescents. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of SDB and snoring in this population and analyze its association with obesity and HTN. POPULATION AND METHODS This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study in a sample of adolescents. Weight, height, waist and neck circumference, and blood pressure were measured, and the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) was administered. RESULTS A total of 826 adolescents participated, 58 (7%) had SDB (males: 5.8%; females: 8%), and 80 (9.7%) were considered snorers (males: 10.4%; females: 9.1%). Overweight and obesity were detected in 216 (26.2%) and 149 (18%) participants, respectively. A higher proportion of subjects with obesity had SDB compared to those who were not obese (12.8% versus 5.8%; p = 0.004). The same association was observed with snoring (18.2% versus 7.8%; p < 0.001). Also, 24.6% slept less than 8 hours a day and 12.6% had values compatible with HTN, with a significant association with obesity and sleep hours. CONCLUSION A high prevalence of SDB and snoring was observed in adolescents, together with an association with obesity and HTN, which highlights the relevance of addressing this problem in an early manner in order to prevent complications.