RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Sleep apnoea is a common occurrence in females JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP 610 OP 615 DO 10.1183/09031936.00212711 VO 41 IS 3 A1 Karl A. Franklin A1 Carin Sahlin A1 Hans Stenlund A1 Eva Lindberg YR 2013 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/41/3/610.abstract AB Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is primarily regarded as a male disorder, presenting with snoring, daytime sleepiness and cardiovascular disease. We aimed to determine the frequency of sleep apnoea among females in the general population. We investigated 400 females from a population-based random sample of 10,000 females aged 20–70 yrs. They answered a questionnaire and performed overnight polysomnography. OSA (apnoea/hypopnoea index (AHI) ≥5) was found in 50% (95% CI 45–55%) of females aged 20–70 yrs. Sleep apnoea was related to age, obesity and hypertension, but not to daytime sleepiness. Severe sleep apnoea (AHI ≥30) was present in 14% (95% CI 8.1–21%) of females aged 55–70 yrs and in 31% (95% CI 12–50%) of obese females with a body mass index of ≥30 kg·m−2 aged 55–70 yrs. Sleep apnoea with daytime sleepiness and sleep apnoea with hypertension were observed as two different phenotypes of OSA. OSA occurs in 50% of females aged 20–70 yrs. 20% of females have moderate and 6% severe sleep apnoea. Sleep apnoea in females is related to age, obesity and hypertension, but not to daytime sleepiness. When searching for sleep apnoea in females, females with hypertension or obesity should be investigated.