Relationship between sleep bruxism and obstructive sleep apnoea: A population-based survey

Objective: Sleep bruxism (SB) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) seem to be mutually associated. This study investigates the relationship between current SB and OSA-related symptoms and the difference in OSA-related symptoms between groups based on a history of SB. Methods: An online survey was drafted to report the presence of SB and OSA in sample of 243 individuals (M = 129;F = 114;mean(SD)age = 42.4 ± 14.4 years). The Subject-Based Assessment strategy recommended in the ‘Standardized Tool for the Assessment of Bruxism’ (STAB) was adopted to assess SB. To evaluate OSA-related symptoms, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and STOP-BANG questionnaires were adopted. Correlations between current SB and OSA-related symptoms were evaluated by Spearman test. ESS and STOP-BANG scores were compared by Mann–Whitney U test in individuals with and a without positive SB history. Results: Current SB and SB history were reported by 45.7% and 39.1% of the sample, respectively. 73.7%, 21% and 5.3% of the responders showed a low, intermediate and high risk of OSA, respectively. Neither significant correlations between current SB and OSA nor significant differences between SB groups emerged. Conclusions: This study did neither find any significant correlation between self-report of current SB and OSA nor significant differences in ESS and STOP-BANG scores between groups based on SB history.