Association between snoring, daytime sleepiness and cardiovascular disease in Chinese rural adults

Evidence on the association between habitual snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remains uncertain and limited. The study aimed to explore the independent and joint association between habitual snoring, EDS, and CVDs in rural Chinese adults. A total of 28,140 participants from the Henan rural cohort study were included. Sleep status information was obtained by self-reported. Based on their sleep status, the participants were classified into four groups: “no snoring and no EDS (NSNS) (reference group)”, “snoring and no EDS (SNS)”, “no snoring and EDS (NSS)”, “snoring and EDS (SS).” The logistic regression models were used to calculate independent and joint odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) between the snoring, EDS status and stroke, CHD, and CVD. Of the 28,140 participants, 740 subjects reported snoring and sleepiness. The ORs and (95% CIs) for CVDs in the adjusted model were 1.31 (1.20–1.43) for participants who snored frequently and 2.44 (1.76–3.39) for frequent sleepiness compared with no snoring and no sleepiness. Individuals with both snoring and sleepiness had higher odds of CVDs compared with no snoring and no sleepiness (OR: 2.18, 95%CI: 1.80–2.62). Habitual snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness were independently and jointly associated with CVDs in the Chinese rural population. More studies are needed to explore the mechanisms of the relationship. The Henan Rural Cohort Study has been registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Register (Registration number: ChiCTR–OOC–15006699). Date of registration: 2015–52 07-06. http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=11375. •Snoring and daytime sleepiness were independently associated with CVD.•Subjects suffering snoring and sleepiness simultaneously have the highest risk of CVDs.•Screening for snoring and sleepiness may help to optimize the prediction of CVDs.