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Pneumologie 2012; 66(10): 584-588
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1325664
Review
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Gender-related Differences in the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede beim Obstruktiven Schlafapnoesyndrom
A. Valipour
Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Ludwig-Boltzmann-Institute for COPD and Respiratory Epidemiology, Otto-Wagner-Hospital, Vienna, Austria
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Further Information

Publication History

received 07 August 2012

accepted after revision 20 August 2012

Publication Date:
17 September 2012 (online)

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Abstract

The obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Epidemiological studies suggest a two-fold higher prevalence of OSAS in men than in women. Differences in pharyngeal collapsibility and central respiratory drive may play a significant role in the gender-specific pathogenesis. Compared with their male counterparts, female patients experience OSAS at an older age (postmenopausal) and with higher body-mass-index. Female OSAS patients furthermore more frequently report atypical symptoms, such as insomnia, depression, and/or restless legs, and thus are less likely to be referred for the evaluation of sleep disordered breathing. Knowledge about these distinct gender-related differences in clinical features of OSAS may contribute to an increased awareness, improved diagnosis and its therapeutic consequences.

Zusammenfassung

Das obstruktive Schlafapnoesyndrom (OSAS) ist eine Erkrankung mit hoher Morbidität und Mortalität. Epidemiologischen Studien zufolge sind Männer doppelt so häufig von OSAS betroffen wie Frauen. Unterschiede bei pharyngealer Kollapsibilität und zentraler Atemregulation scheinen eine wesentliche Rolle in der geschlechterspezifischen Pathogenese zu spielen. Im Vergleich zu Männern mit OSAS tritt das Syndrom bei Frauen meist im späteren Lebensalter (post-menopausal) und bei höherem Body-Mass-Index auf. Frauen mit OSAS berichten häufiger über atypische Symptome, wie zum Beispiel Insomnie, Depression und/oder Restless Legs, und werden daher im Vergleich zu Männern seltener einer Abklärung zur Diagnostik von Schlafatemstörungen zugeführt. Das Wissen um die hier dargestellten geschlechterspezifischen Unterschiede in Klinik und Ausprägung des OSAS könnte zu einem erhöhten Bewusstsein für das Krankheitsbild bei Frauen und zu einer Verbesserung von Diagnostik und den entsprechenden therapeutischen Konsequenzen führen.

 

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