Sex differences in obstructive sleep apnea phenotypes, the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis.
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ABSTRACT: STUDY OBJECTIVES:The bases for sex disparities in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is poorly understood. We quantified the influences of event definitions, sleep-state, and body position on apnea-hypopnea indices (AHIs) in men and women, and evaluated sex differences in pathophysiological endotypes. METHODS:Polysomnography (PSG) data were analyzed from 2057 participants from the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis. Alternative AHIs were compared using various desaturation and arousal criteria. Endotypes (loop gain, airway collapsibility, arousal threshold) were derived using breath-by-breath analysis of PSG signals. Regression models estimated the extent to which endotypes explained sex differences in AHI. RESULTS:The sample (mean 68.5 ± 9.2 years) included 54% women. OSA (AHI4P ?15/h, defined by events with ?4% desaturations) was found in 41.1% men and 21.8% women. Compared to AHI4P, male/female AHI ratios decreased by 5%-10% when using 3%-desaturation and/or arousal criteria; p < 0.05. REM-OSA (REM-AHI ?15/h) was similar in men and women regardless of event desaturation criteria. REM-AHI4P ?15/h was observed in 57% of men and women each. In NREM, AHI4P in men was 2.49 (CI95: 2.25, 2.76) of that in women. Women demonstrated lower loop gain, less airway collapsibility, and lower arousal threshold in NREM (ps < 0.0005). Endotypes explained 30% of the relative sex differences in NREM-AHI4P. CONCLUSIONS:There are significant sex differences in NREM-AHI levels and in physiological endotypes. Physiological endotypes explained a significant portion of the relative sex differences in NREM-AHI. Definitions that use 4%-desaturation criteria under-estimate AHI in women. Combining NREM and REM events obscures OSA prevalence in REM in women.
SUBMITTER: Won CHJ
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7215264 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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