成年人打鼾会随着年龄的增长而变得更为常见,通常男性比女性更常见。[4]Knuiman M, James A, Divitini M, et al. Longitudinal study of risk factors for habitual snoring in a general adult population: the Busselton Health Study. Chest. 2006;130:1779-1783.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17166996?tool=bestpractice.com[5]Khoo SM, Tan WC, Ng TP, et al. Risk factors associated with habitual snoring and sleep disordered breathing in a multi-ethnic Asian population: a population-based study. Respir Med. 2004;98:557-566.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15191042?tool=bestpractice.com在 30-35 岁的年龄组中,有 20% 的男性和 5% 的女性打鼾。到 60 岁时,60% 的男性和 40% 的女性会习惯性打鼾。[6]Lugaresi E, Cirignotta F, Coccagna G, et al. Snoring and the obstructive apnea syndrome. Electroencehalogr Clin Neurophysiol Suppl. 1982;35:421-430.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6956509?tool=bestpractice.com
有些种族群体可能更易于打鼾。例如,中国人比白人易于打鼾,而印度人比中国人更易于打鼾。[5]Khoo SM, Tan WC, Ng TP, et al. Risk factors associated with habitual snoring and sleep disordered breathing in a multi-ethnic Asian population: a population-based study. Respir Med. 2004;98:557-566.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15191042?tool=bestpractice.com[7]Patel M, Tran D, Chakrabarti A, et al. Prevalence of snoring in college students. J Am Coll Health. 2008;57:45-52.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18682345?tool=bestpractice.com
一般成年人群上气道阻力综合征 (UARS) 的发病率仍不清楚,如果是指打鼾和白天嗜睡的成年人,则患病率估计高达 10%-15%。[8]Nicolas J, Loube D, Andrada T, et al. Prevalence of upper airway resistance syndrome in patients referred for presumed sleep disordered breathing. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1998;156:787.
腺样体和扁桃体生理性增生出现于 18 个月至 6 岁。因此,打鼾在婴幼儿中也非常常见。[9]Kubba H. A child who snores. Clin Otolaryngol. 2006;31:317-318.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16911651?tool=bestpractice.com