Frequent snoring was strongly associated with a higher Apnea-Hypopnea Index (B=4.33) among 992 working-age adults at the US-Mexico border, where the mean AHI was 3.6.
Cross-Sectional (n=992)
What are the sociodemographic and health correlates of the Apnea-Hypopnea Index in working-age adults at the US-Mexico border?
In working-age adults at the US-Mexico border, higher AHI is significantly associated with older age, higher BMI, hypertension, and frequent snoring, with the impact of snoring varying by sociodemographic factors.
Effect estimate: B=4.33
Abstract Introduction Little is known about how sleep-disordered breathing is experienced in border communities. This study examines how Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) in this community is related to demographic and health characteristics. Methods Data were collected from 992 working-age adults (age 25-60) living at the US-Mexico Border. AHI was determined from Embletta home sleep tests scored by certified polysomnographic technicians, using the 3% hypopnea criterion. To assess demographic correlates of AHI, we examined self-reported age, gender, education, length of time in the US, financial status, hypertension, diabetes, and both Anglo and Mexican acculturation, as well as objective Body Mass Index (BMI). All regression analyses included age, sex, and BMI as covariates. Frequent snoring was self-reported as being 3 nights/week or more. Interaction terms examined interactions between frequent snoring and each correlate, adjusted for all others. Results The mean AHI in the sample was 3.6 (SD=9.7, Range 0.0-89.2, IQR 1.4-7.3). Frequent snoring was reported in 22.3%. Higher AHI was associated with older age (B=0.15/yr), BMI (0.39/point), hypertension (B=2.63), and frequent snoring (B=4.33). Lower AHI was associated with being female (B=-4.09), family living in the US 20 years vs 10 years (B=-2.37). Significant interactions with frequent snoring were seen for gender, BMI, education, immigration, Mexican acculturation, Anglo acculturation, and diabetes. Interactions demonstrate an increased influence of frequent snoring on AHI for higher BMI, higher education, =10 years or 16-20 years in the US, lower levels of Mexican acculturation, lower levels of Anglo acculturation, and lack of diabetes. Conclusion AHI differs meaningfully across several background and health-related factors in this population. Frequent snoring was strongly associated with higher AHI, suggesting that this symptom may help identify adults at greater risk. The strength of this relationship varied across groups, indicating that the relevance of frequent snoring is not consistent. Future analyses will explore how these and other factors may influence future case-finding efforts. Support (if any) R01MD011600, R01MH135978
Sardjev et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Sleep-disordered breathing (n=992). Frequent snoring and sociodemographic factors was evaluated on Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) (B=4.33). Frequent snoring was strongly associated with a higher Apnea-Hypopnea Index (B=4.33) among 992 working-age adults at the US-Mexico border, where the mean AHI was 3.6.