Sex-Related Differences in Polygraphic Parameters in a Population of Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Sex-related differences in the prevalence and clinical presentation of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) have been widely documented. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of patients' sex on polygraphic parameters with particular attention to sleep autonomic changes in a population of OSAS patients.

Sixty OSAS patients aged 55-65 years (30 men, 30 women) were enrolled. Sleep quality was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and daytime sleepiness with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). The presence of respiratory events and autonomic changes during the night was investigated by polygraphy.

Similar main cardiovascular risk factors prevalence was observed in both men and women. We observed a significant difference in PSQI (higher in women, p=0.0001) and ESS (higher in men, p=0.004) scores. Snoring (p=0.033), supine AHI (p=0.004), T90 (p=0.021), LO2 (p=0.0001), LF/HF ratio and LF (p=0.0001) were significantly higher in men. Sex differences in PSQI mean score and LF/HF ratio variability were preserved in all the subgroups of OSA severity.

The influence of sex in modulating cardiovascular risk is a widely discussed topic. In our study, men showed more severe polygraphic parameters and an increase in LF/HF ratio compared to women. The results of our investigation suggest the relevance of delivering information about the different expressions of OSAS in men and women in order to improve diagnostic skills and in-depth prevention approaches.