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

Abstract

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.

Associations of Overweight, Obesity and Related Factors with Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders and Snoring in Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…Adolescents is crucial in the development of SRBD because hormone changes during this period. Sánchez-Armengol and colleagues conducted a 4-year follow-up study and demonstrated that habitual snoring tended to persist during adolescents if no intervention was undertaken [26]. In the present study, we found overweight, residence, birth history and parental education level were correlated with snoring and SRBD in adolescents.…”

“…In weighty populations, breathing is not smooth during sleep, which may result in sleep apnea [19]. Sánchez-Armengol et al indicated that healthcare interventions might have a beneficial effect on snoring by avoiding weight gain in adolescents [26]. …”

Sleep-Related Breathing Disorder, Cognitive Functioning, and Behavioral-Psychiatric Syndromes in Children

“…4 Children with enlarged tonsils and adenoids may have increased upper airway collapsibility. 5 Several studies suggest that SDB may be more frequent in children of African-American race compared with Caucasians 6,7 and that boys may be at higher risk of SDB than girls, [8][9][10] especially in studies that included teenagers, 11 where pubertal hormonal changes likely contribute to the gender differences observed in adults. In addition, children with craniofacial anomalies and those with disorders affecting upper airway patency are at higher risk of SDB.…”

Childhood obesity, weight loss and developmental trajectories predict the persistence and remission of childhood sleep‐disordered breathing

“…A 4‐year follow‐up study by Sánchez‐Armengol et al . demonstrated that SDB in 148 adolescents at both baseline (14.3‐years old) and follow‐up (18.5‐years old) was associated with higher BMI and central fat distribution , although the authors were not able to examine trajectories of SDB across different developmental stages (i.e. from childhood to adolescence) due to the age of the sample.…”