Nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux increases the risk of daytime sleepiness in women.

OBJECTIVE

Daytime sleepiness is common in women and has negative health effects. Nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux (nGER) and snoring are risk factors for daytime sleepiness, but the effect of their interaction remains unknown. The aim of this study was to examine how nGER and snoring combined affected daytime sleepiness and involuntary falling asleep in women.

METHODS

A questionnaire was sent to randomly selected women in 2000 and 2010. Participants who answered questions regarding both nGER and snoring in both questionnaires were included (N = 4882). Daytime sleepiness was defined as severe or very severe problems with daytime sleepiness. Involuntary falling asleep was defined as sometimes, often or very often falling asleep involuntarily during the day. Respondents snoring loudly and disturbingly sometimes, often or very often were defined as snorers. Having nocturnal heartburn or acid reflux sometimes, often or very often was defined as having nGER.

RESULTS

Daytime sleepiness was reported by 14% of the participants, involuntary falling asleep by 11%. After adjustment for age, smoking, physical activity, caffeine intake and alcohol dependency, increased odd ratios (ORs) for both daytime sleepiness (adjusted OR 4.2, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.9-9.2) and involuntary falling asleep (adjusted OR 3.1, 95% CI: 1.5-6.4) were seen in women with the combination of nGER and snoring at both baseline and follow-up. The association with daytime sleepiness was also strong for those with only persistent nGER but not for those with only persistent snoring.

CONCLUSION

Women with nGER were at increased risk of developing daytime sleepiness and snoring augmented this association. In addition, women with both nGER and snoring were also at increased risk of developing involuntary falling asleep.