Gender differences in comorbidity burden in recently diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea patients

Background: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is associated with several comorbidities. Aim of the study was to examine gender differences in comorbidities in a large line of OSA patients. Methods: The characteristics of 689 consecutive individuals (511 males and 178 females) evaluated with polysomnography, due to suspected OSA, were analyzed. Patients were divided according to OSA severity into 3 groups and comparisons were made between male and female patients. Results: Mild OSA was diagnosed in 142, moderate in 105 and severe OSA in 303 patients. In 139 individuals, AHI was Among OSA patients, females were older (56.2±10.9 vs. 52.8±13.3 years, p=0.001) with higher BMI (36±8.7 vs. 32.9±5.9 Kg/m 2 , p Females with OSA had a higher prevalence of hypothyroidism (21.4% vs. 2.9%, chi-squared 48.145, p Conclusion: Women recently diagnosed with OSA, are older and more obese, with higher burden of comorbidities than men. Hypothyroidism, depression, arterial hypertension and heart failure are more prevalent in women with OSA than men.