RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome among a snoring community JF Saudi Medical Journal JO Saudi Med J FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City SP 854 OP 858 VO 24 IS 8 A1 Abdullah M. Al-Rubaish A1 Abdullah M. Mangoud A1 Mahdi S. Abumadini A1 Ahmed A. Bahnassy A1 Fahd A. Al-Muhanna A1 Abdulaziz A. Al-Nwasser YR 2003 UL http://smj.org.sa/content/24/8/854.abstract AB OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relation between snoring and the presence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in terms of relevant health parameters and questionnaire responses.METHODS: Selective random sampling within a household survey in the cities of Al-Khobar and Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over a 3 month period during the year 2000, was carried out. One hundred and fifty-two persons, aged 17-62 years, with a positive history of snoring as determined by the spouse or other members of the family were selected.RESULTS: The presence of OSA was determined using the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS). The predictors included age, gender and body mass index. Snoring was found to be more associated with OSA as suggested by ESS in the study sample. The severity of snoring and its pattern are more associated with apneic patients.CONCLUSION: Snoring is common and may be a serious medical problem. This study revealed that snoring is associated with symptoms suggesting OSA syndrome as detected by ESS. The family doctor and his team should be aware of the condition, using simple screening test such as ESS, improves the patient care, and finding of suspected cases.