TUESDAY, Nov. 3 (HealthDay News) -- In patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), bruxism is highly prevalent, especially among men and Caucasians, according to research presented this week at the 75th annual international scientific assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians, held from Oct. 31 to Nov. 5 in San Diego.
Shyam Subramanian, M.D., of the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, and colleagues conducted a chart review of 150 male OSA patients (including 50 Caucasians, 50 African-Americans, and 50 Hispanics) and 150 female OSA patients (including 50 Caucasians, 50 African-Americans, and 50 Hispanics).
The researchers found that the overall prevalence of bruxism was 25.6 percent. They observed higher rates in men than in women (43 versus 31 percent), and in Caucasians than in Hispanics (35 versus 19 percent).
"Bruxism can be both a daytime syndrome as well as a nighttime syndrome, but it is bruxism during sleep, including short naps, that causes the majority of health issues," Subramanian said in a statement. "Studies do suggest that when sleep bruxism is related to OSA, certain therapies, including continuous positive airway pressure, may eliminate bruxism during sleep."
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