Gender Differences in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Preliminary Clinical and Polysomnographic Investigation

Gender differences influence the clinical manifestations, progression, and treatment response in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome, suggesting the existence of distinct gender-related phenotypes potentially driven by anatomical, physiological, and hormonal factors. However, the impact of gender on OSA-related cognitive profiles remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the neuropsychological and polysomnographic (PSG) differences between OSA females and males in order to detect the impact of gender on clinical manifestation and PSG features.

Data were collected from 28 OSA patients (14 females and 14 males matched for age, education, and disease severity). All patients performed a complete neuropsychological evaluation, Epworth sleepiness scale, and whole-night PSG. To evaluate the relationship between specific sleep profiles and cognitive performance, PSG parameters were correlated to scores obtained on neuropsychological tests.

Both male and female groups performed within the normal range across all administered neuropsychological tests, according to Italian normative values. Compared with OSA males, female patients showed significantly lower values on the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) Recall Test. By contrast, no significant statistical clinical difference emerged between the two OSA groups in terms of clinical manifestation and sleep parameters.

This study improves the knowledge on gender-related cognitive impairment in OSA patients. Our preliminary findings demonstrate that the ROCF Recall Test may be altered in OSA females, but not in males. Further longitudinal studies are needed to investigate whether OSA female patients will develop a frank dementia over time.