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Marital Status and Sleep-disordered Breathing in a Sample of Middle-aged French Men

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that unmarried (single) men have more sleep-disordered breathing symptoms due to a higher prevalence of obesity and a less healthy lifestyle than men living with a partner. Men (499) aged 23–66 years completed a structured questionnaire, had standard anthropometric measurements and a simple, noninvasive nose-throat examination. Of the 499, 496 subjects answered the question concerning their marital status; 86% of them were married or lived with a partner (reference group) and the other 14% had never been married, divorced, or widowed (“single” group, considered at risk). Single subjects were younger, included slightly more smokers (30 vs. 23%) and more subjects with a history of chronic bronchitis, and less frequently had a large soft palate. The prevalence of sleep-disordered symptoms was not significantly different between the two groups. However, a study involving a larger number of subjects with information regarding alcoholic consumption may be needed to further evaluate this question.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are sincerely indebted to Ms Aline Berthelin for secretarial assistance and to the subjects of the study for their willing participation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculté de Médecine, French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) ESPRI, [EP]2R, BP 184, 9 avenue de la Forêt de Haye 54505, Vandœuvre-Lès-Nancy, France

    D. Teculescu, B. Hannhart & J.-P. Michaely

  2. Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluation, Nancy University Hospital, CIC BP 303, Hôpital Jeanne d′Arc, 54201, Toul, France

    J. -M. Virion

  3. ENT Department, Nancy University Hospital, Avenue De Lattre de Tassigny, 54000, Nancy, France

    B. Montaut-Verient

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  1. D. Teculescu
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  2. B. Hannhart
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  3. J. -M. Virion
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  4. B. Montaut-Verient
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  5. J.-P. Michaely
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Correspondence to D. Teculescu.

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Teculescu, D., Hannhart, B., Virion, J.M. et al. Marital Status and Sleep-disordered Breathing in a Sample of Middle-aged French Men. Lung 182, 355–362 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-004-2516-1

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