RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Influence of gender in obstructive sleep apnea characteristics and treatment
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P3846
VO 40
IS Suppl 56
A1 Filipa Soares Pires
A1 Marta Drummond
A1 Inês Neves
A1 Cláudia Pinto
A1 Anabela Marinho
A1 Maria Sucena
A1 João Almeida
A1 João Winck
YR 2012
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P3846.abstract
AB INTRODUCTION: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was initially recognized as a disease of men. However, prevalence of OSA in women is not as low as historically thought. Little is known about the influence of gender in OSA.Aim: To assess gender differences in demographics, clinical presentation, sleep study findings and treatment parameters in OSA patients.METHODS: A transversal study was performed, including patients newly diagnosed with OSA, that initiated APAP treatment 6 months before.RESULTS: 187 patients were included, 128 male and 59 female. Women were older than men (60.5±7.9 vs. 54.4±13.0), their Body Mass Index (BMI) was higher (35.8±7.2 vs. 32.0±4.7) and neck circumference was lower (39.9±3.8 vs. 44.0±3.7). Comorbidities were more frequent in women, including hypertension. Women self-reported more frequently initial insomnia, awakenings, restless legs symptoms, gasping, nightmares, subjective poor sleep quality, depression and daytime sleepiness, but no difference was found in Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Self-reported snoring was similar in both genders. Apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) was higher in men (43.1±19.1 vs. 35.7±21.8), even after adjusting for age and BMI. Apnea/hypopnea duration was also higher in men (22.8±6.7 vs. 19.8±4.9 seconds). The 95th percentile of pressure (P95) at 6 months of APAP was superior in women (12.0±2.5 vs. 10.7±2.9).CONCLUSION:Gender differences need to be aware when assessing women for OSA. Women report more symptoms and poor sleep quality at a lower AHI and have more significant comorbidities. Despite a higher BMI, OSA severity was lower in females.