[Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome: association with gender, obesity and sleepiness-related factors].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects that gender and obesity have on excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), as well as to identify factors associated with EDS in such individuals.


METHODS
A total of 300 consecutive patients who completed the clinical evaluation satisfactorily and whose polysomnography showed an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) > 10 events/hour of sleep were selected from a sleep clinic population for inclusion in the study.


RESULTS
Mean age was 47 +/- 11 years, and mean AHI was 52.1 +/- 29.2 events/hour of sleep. Females presented higher mean age, lower EDS scores and less time in apnea. Mean EDS score was 14.7 +/- 7.2. The EDS score correlated better with body movements (r = 0.43; p < 0.01), respiratory events during sleep (r = 0.40; p < 0.01), duration of apnea (r = 0.40; p < 0.01), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2; r = -0.38; p < 0.01) and AHI (r = 0.37; p < 0.01). Mean body mass index (BMI) was 30.2 +/- 5.3 kg/m(2). Overweight, obesity and morbid obesity were observed in 41, 44 and 5.3% of cases, respectively. Disease severity correlated most strongly with BMI (r = 0.51; p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Higher mean age, lower EDS scores and less time spent in sleep apnea time in apnea were associated with being female. Fragmented sleep, number/duration of respiratory events during sleep, SpO2 levels and obesity were associated with sleepiness. The BMI had a significant effect on OSAHS severity.
Knorst
Marli Maria
MM
Departamento de Medicina Interna, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Pneumológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. mmknorst@terra.com.br
Souza
Fábio José Fabrício de Barros
FJ
Martinez
Denis
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications; D017286:Polysomnography; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000502:physiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult