Language
English
Publication Date
12-1-2022
Journal
Life
DOI
10.3390/life12122003
PMID
36556368
PMCID
PMC9786006
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
12-1-2022
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Abstract
Introduction: Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is a common condition, associated with multiple comorbidities including cardiovascular and metabolic disease. It has been previously established that SDB is more prevalent in men than women, shifting the literature's focus away from the latter population. As such, underdiagnosis, and thus undertreatment, of SDB in women exists.
Methods: To establish the differences in prevalence, clinical presentation, and pathophysiology of SDB between the two sexes, a narrative review of the current literature was performed.
Results: Rates of SDB are higher among men, likely driven by differences in symptom presentation between men and women, with women presenting with more "atypical" symptoms, and lack of sensitivity in SDB screening tools to detect SDB in women. In addition to the cardiovascular risks of SDB, women with SDB may have worse quality of life, higher prevalence of insomnia, and respiratory issues.
Discussion: More research is needed to better define the unique pathophysiology and clinical presentation of SDB in women. In addition, an increased awareness among health care providers and the lay public of the SDB-specific sex and gender differences will serve to minimize disparities in identification and treatment of SDB in women.
Keywords
sleep disordered breathing, obstructive sleep apnea, gender differences, sex characteristics
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
Bublitz, Margaret; Adra, Nour; Hijazi, Leen; et al., "A Narrative Review of Sex and Gender Differences in Sleep Disordered Breathing: Gaps and Opportunities" (2022). Faculty and Staff Publications. 4810.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/4810
Included in
Critical Care Commons, Health Services Research Commons, Medical Sciences Commons, Pulmonology Commons, Sleep Medicine Commons