Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi. 2026 May 10;47(5):839-845. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112338-20250904-00625.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the causal association between snoring and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and the role of obesity in their relationship. Methods: Based on the individual-level data from the United Kingdom Biobank prospective cohort, a Cox proportional hazards regression model was carried out to estimate the association between snoring at baseline survey and the risk for COPD (n=254 757, 3 438 COPD cases). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between COPD and the probability of snoring (n=22 096, 3 481 snorers). Univariable Mendelian randomization (MR), multivariate MR (MVMR) analyses were conducted on causal association of snoring and obesity [BMI, waist circumference adjusted for BMI (WCadjBMI)], and COPD. Results: Snoring at baseline survey was positively associated with the risk for COPD in the prospective cohort analysis (HR=1.20, 95%CI: 1.12-1.29). With applying MR approach, genetically predicted one-fold increased probability of snoring was associated with 77% (inverse-variance weighted: OR=1.77, 95%CI: 1.04-3.00) higher risk for COPD. After adjustment for obesity, snoring at baseline survey was not statistically associated with the risk for COPD (HR=1.07, 95%CI: 1.00-1.14, P=0.067). No significant association was observed between COPD at baseline survey and the probability of snoring (OR=0.91, 95%CI: 0.81-1.02). No causal association between snoring and COPD was observed in the MVMR analysis. Conclusions: The prospective cohort and MR analysis showed consistent evidence that obesity contributed to the association between snoring and COPD. Management of obesity, especially the general obesity, might be an important strategy for the prevention of COPD.
PMID:42151061 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn112338-20250904-00625