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Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016
Gender differences in Saudi patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
Hadil Alotair1, Ahmed Bahammam
1Respiratory Medicine Section and Sleep Disorders Centre, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Sleep & Breathing = Schlaf & Atmung
|March 29, 2008
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in Saudi women presents differently than in men, with older age, higher BMI, and more comorbidities. Recognizing these distinctions is crucial for timely diagnosis and management of OSA in women.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Respiratory Medicine
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is often underdiagnosed in women due to atypical presentations and underutilization of sleep services.
- Limited research exists on OSA in Middle Eastern (Arab) populations, particularly concerning gender-based differences.
- Understanding demographic and clinical variations is essential for improving OSA recognition and care in women.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare demographic, clinical, and polysomnographic (PSG) characteristics of Saudi women and men diagnosed with OSA.
- To identify specific differences that may contribute to the under-recognition of OSA in Saudi women.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 191 Saudi women and 193 Saudi men diagnosed with OSA via in-laboratory polysomnography (PSG).
- Data collection included personal interviews for demographic and clinical information.
- Analysis focused on comparing age, BMI, comorbidities, sleep symptoms, and PSG parameters between genders.
Main Results:
- Women were significantly older (53.9 vs. 43.0 years) and had higher BMIs than men.
- Insomnia was more prevalent in women (39.8% vs. 25.9%), while other symptoms like witnessed apnea and daytime sleepiness showed no significant difference.
- Women had a higher prevalence of comorbidities (hypothyroidism, diabetes, hypertension, cardiac disease, asthma) and experienced more apnea/hypopnea events during REM sleep with lower AHI, lower sleep efficiency, and a higher desaturation index compared to men.
Conclusions:
- Significant clinical and PSG differences exist between Saudi women and men with OSA, including age, BMI, comorbidities, and specific sleep event patterns.
- Women may present with OSA symptoms at a lower Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) and have substantial comorbid conditions.
- Healthcare providers must be aware of these gender-specific differences to ensure accurate assessment and timely management of OSA in women.
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