A community study of sleep-disordered breathing in middle-aged Chinese women in Hong Kong: prevalence and gender differences.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in community-based, middle-aged Chinese women, and to compare the differences between gender with a similar study in men.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study conducted in Hong Kong from 1998 to 2000.


METHODS
Sleep questionnaires were distributed to women (30 to 60 years old) in three offices and two community centers. All were invited to undergo full polysomnography in a sleep laboratory.


METHODS
Questionnaires were distributed to 1,532 women, and 854 questionnaires were returned. Polysomnography was conducted in 106 respondents.


RESULTS
Conservative estimated prevalence of SDB (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] > = 5) and OSAS (AHI > or = 5 plus excessive daytime sleepiness [EDS]) were 3.7% and 2.1%, respectively. Age-specific prevalence of OSAS was 0.5%, 2.2%, and 6.1% in the 30- to 39-year-old, 40- to 49-year-old, and 50- to 60-year-old age groups, respectively. Stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis identified body mass index (BMI) and age as predictors of SDB. Compared to Chinese men, the prevalence of SDB and OSAS in women was lower, but the gender difference decreased with age. The AHI of affected women was also significantly lower despite comparable BMI. Compared to men, women with SDB had same degree of self-reported snoring and a similar degree of EDS despite the lower AHI.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated an estimated prevalence of OSAS at 2.1% among middle-aged Chinese women in Hong Kong, with a 12-fold rise from the fourth to the sixth decade of life. BMI and age were significant independent predictors of SDB. Compared to men, women with SDB had lower AHIs, despite similar BMIs.
Ip
Mary S M
MS
Departments of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China. msmip@hkucc.hku.hk
Lam
Bing
B
Tang
Lawrence C H
LC
Lauder
Ian J
IJ
Ip
Toi Yan
TY
Lam
Wah Kit
WK
D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017286:Polysomnography; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires