Association of self-reported snoring with decreased retinal thickness and vessel density

Snoring as a Possible Protective Factor for Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have linked sleep quality to temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), suggesting a role for snoring in this association. However, the directionality of this relationship remains a subject of debate. This investigation aimed to elucidate the connections between snoring and TMD.

METHODS

This research employed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach, leveraging publicly available large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) data on snoring and TMD. We utilised a suite of analytical methods, including the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, maximum likelihood estimation, adjusted profile score, weighted median, MR-Egger regression, and a series of sensitivity analyses, to rigorously assess the existence of relationships.

RESULTS

Our findings indicate that a greater genetic predisposition to snoring is significantly associated with a reduced risk of TMD (IVW method; odds ratio [OR] = 0.156, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.028-0.843, p = 0.0309). Conversely, the analysis did not support a potential influence of TMD on snoring susceptibility (IVW method; 95% CI = 0.990 to 1.002, p = 0.1926). Additionally, our sensitivity analyses did not reveal any significant pleiotropy that could bias these findings.

CONCLUSION

This MR study provides limited but novel genetic evidence supporting a potential causal link between snoring and a decreased risk of developing TMD. On the other hand, it does not substantiate an effect of TMD on the likelihood of snoring.

Pediatric Ocular Health and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A Review

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects neurobehavioral, cognitive, and cardiovascular aspects, particularly in children, by obstructing the upper airways during sleep. While its impact in adult ocular health is recognized, there is ongoing debate about OSA's relevance in pediatrics. This review explores the relationship between OSA and ocular health in children, focusing on the effects and potential improvements through treatment. A systematic search found 287 articles through PubMeD/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect; 94.4% were excluded. After careful selection, six English articles were included, addressing the effects of OSA on children's eyes. Three studies examined choroidal alterations, three explored retinal and optic nerve changes, and two analyzed ocular changes following otorhinolaryngological intervention. The immediate correlation in children is inconclusive, but age may be a contributing factor. Pediatric OSA patients exhibit corneal anomalies and increased optic nerve thickness, possibly due to intermittent hypoxia. OSA influences retinal vascular density in children, with increased density after treatment and reduced choroidal thickness in cases of adenotonsillar hypertrophy. This review emphasized OSA's significant impact on children's ocular health, revealing alterations in the optic nerve, choroid, retina, and cornea. While the direct correlation with the optic nerve is not always evident, OSA raises intraocular pressure and induces structural changes. Treatment holds promise, highlighting the need for regular monitoring to promptly address childhood OSA.