Abstract
Objective: Does snoring during pregnancy influence development of pre-eclampsia?
Method: Five hundred and three pregnant women were presented a questionnaire concerning snoring, daytime sleepiness and edema. Epworth Sleepiness score (ESS) and symptoms of restless legs syndrome were also included. The questionnaire was presented in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester and blood pressure was recorded. Women snoring often-always at visit 2 and/or 3 were denoted habitual snorers, those snoring never-seldom non-snorers and there was also a category occasional snorers. Habitual snorers were offered a sleep respiratory recording (Embletta); 34 volunteered.
Results: 36/503 women (7,2%) snored habitually already at the first visit. At the end of pregnancy the fraction had increased to 19,5%. At the first visit BMI of habitual snorers was 25,3 compared to 22,9 for non-snorers (s.), but there was no difference concerning increase during pregnancy. Habitual snorers reported more edema at visit 2 and 3, higher scores in morning and daytime tiredness and ESS score compared to non-snorers at all visits (s.). Their systolic blood pressure increased more (s.) already between 1st and 2nd visit. Weight and Apgar scores of the newborns showed no difference. Pre-eclampsia developed in 18 women, twice as common among habitual snorers than in those snoring never-occasionally (n.s.). Their snoring scores were higher at all visits; the greatest difference at visit 3 (P50,058). Their diastolic pressure increased more already at the 2nd visit (s.), they had more edema and higher increase in BMI (s.). ESS and tiredness scores did not differ. 9/34 sleep recordings showed supine AHI 45. Two women who later developed pre-eclampsia were recorded; both had supine AHI 45.
Conclusions: Habitual snorers had higher BMI from start, more daytime tiredness, higher ESS scores and their diastolic blood pressure increased more already during early pregnancy. Preeclampsia was twice as common among snorers as non-snorers; not significant due to the low number of cases. The relation between pre-eclampsia and snoring therefore remains elusive.