Epidemiology

Snoring in adults is more common with increasing age, and in men compared with women.[1][5][6]​​​ In the 30- to 35-year-old age group, 20% of men and 5% of women will snore. By 60 years of age, 60% of men and 40% of women will snore habitually.[7]

Certain ethnic groups may be more prone to snoring. For example, Chinese people are more prone to snoring than white people, and Indian people more prone to snoring than Chinese people.[6][8]

The prevalence of upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) in the general adult population is unknown, but it has been estimated to be as high as 10% to 15%, as defined by adults with snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness.[9]

Physiologic hyperplasia of the adenoids and tonsils occurs between the ages of approximately 18 months and 6 years. As a result, snoring is also very common in young children.[4][10]

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