Page 266 - Livre électronique des RFTP 2024

GENDER DISPARITIES IN POLYSOMNOGRAPHIC

PARAMETERS AMONG ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH
OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA-HYPOPNEA SYNDROME

W. BEN HMID, B. BARKOUS, N. GAMOUDI, G. SAKLY, R. BEN CHEIKH

UNITE DES TROUBLES DU SOMMEIL, SERVICE DES EXPLORATIONS FONCTIONNELLES DU
SYSTEME NERVEUX (SEFSN) CHU SAHLOUL DE SOUSSE

INTRODUCTION Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) affects
individuals of all ages, but its prevalence increases with age, particularly among
the elderly. Gender differences in OSAS presentation and severity have been
noted, suggesting potential variations between men and women.

AIM: This study aimed to compare polysomnographic parameters among elderly
patients diagnosed with OSAS, focusing on gender disparities.

METHODS: This retrospective study spanned from 2008 to 2022 in the Sleep and
Functional Exploration of Nervous system Service in Sahloul Hospital (SEFSN),
including patients aged over 65 referred for snoring investigation. Patients
underwent focused questioning on sleep disturbances and polysomnography,
with OSAS diagnosis based on an Apnoea/Hypopnoea index (AHI) ≥ 5. Statistical
analysis employed SPSS software.

RESULTS: The study comprised 177patients, predominantly women (61.7%),
divided into two groups: G1 for males (66 patients) and G2 for females (111 patients).
Comparing the groups, we found that women with SAOS were significantly
younger than men (69.45±4.88 vs. 71.45 ±5.01, p=0.01), with similar BMI levels
(35.62±9.58 vs. 32.5±10.66, p=0.06) and Epworth scores (8.21±7.84 vs. 10.28±7.37,
p=0.16). Regarding polysomnographic parameters, there were no differences in
sleep latency, total sleep time, sleep stage distribution, or SpO2 nadir between the
groups, nor in SAOS severity.
CONCLUSION : Among the elderly, there are no differences in SAOS characteristics
except for age.

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