Gender and age differences in polysomnography findings and sleep complaints of patients referred to a sleep laboratory

Abstract

Our objective was to examine the effect of gender on the sleep pattern of patients referred to a sleep laboratory. The data (questionnaires and polysomnographic recordings) were collected from a total of 2365 patients (1550 men and 815 women). The polysomnography permits an objective assessment of the sleep pattern. We included only polysomnography exams obtained with no more than one recording system in order to permit normalization of the data. Men had a significantly higher body mass index than women (28.5 ± 4.8 vs 27.7 ± 6.35 kg/m 2 ) and had a significantly higher score on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (10.8 ± 5.3 vs 9.5 ± 6.0), suggesting daytime sleepiness. Women had a significantly higher sleep latency than men, as well as a higher rapid eye movement (REM) latency. Men spent more time in stages 1 (4.6 ± 4.1 vs 3.9 ± 3.8) and 2 (57.0 ± 10.5 vs 55.2 ± 10.1) of non-REM sleep than women, whereas women spent significantly more time in deep sleep stages (3 and 4) than men (22.6 ± 9.0 vs 19.9 ± 9.0). The apnea/hypopnea and arousal indexes were significantly higher and more frequent in men than in women (31.0 ± 31.5 vs 17.3 ± 19.7). Also, periodic leg movement index did not differ significantly between genders, but rather differed among age groups. We did not find significant differences between genders in the percentage of REM sleep and sleep efficiency. The results of the current study suggest that there are specific gender differences in sleep pattern.

Dimensões nasofaríngeas e sintomas respiratórios após a cirurgia de retalho faríngeo em crianças e adultos

“…The fact that these symptoms occurred most frequently in the older population confirms the results of studies that have established consensus on the intensification of respiratory symptoms, especially snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, as age increases (21)(22)(23) . Snoring can be defined as a fricative noise originating in the soft tissues of the upper airways.…”

“…In addition, one must consider that respiratory changes related to nasopharyngeal obstruction during sleep increase with age (21) . Snoring during sleep, episodes of obstructive sleep apnea and other daytime symptoms manifest themselves most often after the age of 40 years (21)(22)(23) . The purpose of this study was therefore to determine the influence of age on nasopharyngeal dimensions and respiratory symptoms in patients who underwent surgery to correct velopharyngeal insufficiency using the pharyngeal flap technique.…”

Is the population properly informed about sleep disorders?

“…In our study, women did not seem to adequately report symptoms of insomnia, although the disease was prevalent among this subgroup, as expected 30 . It is possible that women were less concerned about their insomnia.…”

Sleep quality based on the use of different sanitary pads during menstruation

“…Epidemiologic data show that women have more sleep complaints than men [21,22]. In a previous study, women with menstrual cycle irregularities had more sleep complaints than women with no irregularities [3].…”