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Influence of Gender on Associations of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Symptoms with Chronic Conditions and Quality of Life

Author

Listed:
  • Sarah Appleton

    (Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Campus, Woodville 5011 SA, Australia)

  • Tiffany Gill

    (Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005 SA, Australia)

  • Anne Taylor

    (Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005 SA, Australia)

  • Douglas McEvoy

    (Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health, A Flinders Centre of Excellence, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park 5042 SA, Australia)

  • Zumin Shi

    (Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005 SA, Australia)

  • Catherine Hill

    (Rheumatology Unit, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville 5011 SA, Australia)

  • Amy Reynolds

    (The Appleton Institute, CQUniversity Australia, 44 Greenhill Rd, Wayville SA 5034, Australia)

  • Robert Adams

    (Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Campus, Woodville 5011 SA, Australia)

Abstract

Women are less likely than men to be diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We examined contemporary gender differences in symptoms, health status, and quality of life associated with diagnosed OSA and OSA symptoms in a population-based sample. A 2015 postal/on-line questionnaire of 2889 active participants of The North West Adelaide Health Study (response rate = 54%, male n = 704; female n = 856; age 30–100 years) assessed previously diagnosed OSA, OSA symptoms, insomnia, doctor-diagnosed medical conditions, and the SF-36. In weighted analyses, self-reported diagnosed OSA (men: 12.6%, n = 95; women: 3.3%, n = 27) and OSA symptoms (men: 17.1%; women: 9.7%) were more common in men. Diagnosed OSA showed stronger adjusted associations with typical OSA features in women, including obesity (women-odds ratio (OR), 95% CI: 5.7, 1.9–17.1, men: 2.2, 1.2–4.0), daytime sleepiness (women: 6.4, 2.7–15.6, men: 3.3, 2.1–5.4), and loud snoring (women: 25.4, 9.4–69.1, men: 8.7, 5.2–14.4). Diagnosed OSA was independently associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) in men, and in women with high cholesterol, respiratory disease, insomnia, and reduced SF-36 Physical Component Summary score. In both sexes, OSA symptoms were significantly associated with depression, insomnia, and moderate to severe impairments in SF-36 physical and mental component summary scores. Diagnosed women showed clinical characteristics overtly related to OSA. A higher index of clinical suspicion of OSA may be required in women for a condition regarded as male-predominant to increase equity in health outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarah Appleton & Tiffany Gill & Anne Taylor & Douglas McEvoy & Zumin Shi & Catherine Hill & Amy Reynolds & Robert Adams, 2018. "Influence of Gender on Associations of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Symptoms with Chronic Conditions and Quality of Life," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-12, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:5:p:930-:d:144924
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Graeme Tucker & Robert Adams & David Wilson, 2013. "Observed Agreement Problems between Sub-Scales and Summary Components of the SF-36 Version 2 - An Alternative Scoring Method Can Correct the Problem," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(4), pages 1-10, April.
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