Prevalence in men
Re: Prevalence in men
I would so like to agree with you, but after being here for a long time and seeing what doctors are capable (not) of, their appalling attitudes, out-of-date theories, and just plain ignorance of OSA and Cpap, I would not put anything down to statistics or ideal models of research studies... it may take at least another generation if not longer for way too many of them to get it, even the ones supposedly doing 'scientific' research.
Re: Prevalence in men
I agree that it is a HUGE problem that doctors are unaware of the prevalence of OSA in general and unaware of its prevalence in women.
But that does not, in my opinion, provide any basis for arguing that there is any evidence anywhere (yet, anyway) that OSA is as prevalent in women as it is in men.
Inconvenient truths are truths nonetheless, even when ignorant docs misuse those truths.
Personally my position is that any human--man, woman, or child of any age or anatomy--who has been observed gasping after a pause in breathing, even just once, has earned a full evaluation for OSA. Regardless of statistics. But making that point by arguing against the science can undermine that point.
Hey, just me.
But that does not, in my opinion, provide any basis for arguing that there is any evidence anywhere (yet, anyway) that OSA is as prevalent in women as it is in men.
Inconvenient truths are truths nonetheless, even when ignorant docs misuse those truths.
Personally my position is that any human--man, woman, or child of any age or anatomy--who has been observed gasping after a pause in breathing, even just once, has earned a full evaluation for OSA. Regardless of statistics. But making that point by arguing against the science can undermine that point.
Hey, just me.
-Jeff (AS10/P30i)
Accounts to put on the foe list: Me. I often post misleading, timewasting stuff.
Accounts to put on the foe list: Me. I often post misleading, timewasting stuff.
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Arlene1963
- Posts: 548
- Joined: Thu Nov 05, 2015 5:43 am
Re: Prevalence in men
The prevalence of SDB/OSA is much higher in women than originally thought and frustratingly this info is still not reflected in many sources. As for men having higher rates than women, the most recent population based studies I've read support this.
There have been a few recent studies but the one I've found to be most up-to-date and relevant is the Swiss study published in 2015. I've linked to it here before. Honestly, I see no reason to doubt the results.
This study reflects current AASM scoring practices. Also, the study included many women (52% of the 2121 participants) and the subjects weren't particularly overweight (mean BMI 25.6)
The authors conclude that "The median apnoea-hypopnoea index was 6·9 events per h in women and 14·9 per h in men. The prevalence of moderate-to-severe sleep-disordered breathing (≥15 events per h) was 23·4% (95% CI 20·9–26·0) in women and 49·7% (46·6–52·8) in men."
http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4404207
They also state: "Compared with women, scores on the apnoea-hypopnoea index were around three times higher in men in the younger age category (≥40 to <60 years) and twice as high in older men (≥60 years). Median scores on the apnoea-hypopnoea index were significantly lower in premenopausal women (2·8 events per h) compared with postmenopausal women (8·7 p<0·0001)."
I hope that future research will unravel the myriad causes and consequences of SDB, including what protects many younger women from having OSA.
There have been a few recent studies but the one I've found to be most up-to-date and relevant is the Swiss study published in 2015. I've linked to it here before. Honestly, I see no reason to doubt the results.
This study reflects current AASM scoring practices. Also, the study included many women (52% of the 2121 participants) and the subjects weren't particularly overweight (mean BMI 25.6)
The authors conclude that "The median apnoea-hypopnoea index was 6·9 events per h in women and 14·9 per h in men. The prevalence of moderate-to-severe sleep-disordered breathing (≥15 events per h) was 23·4% (95% CI 20·9–26·0) in women and 49·7% (46·6–52·8) in men."
http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4404207
They also state: "Compared with women, scores on the apnoea-hypopnoea index were around three times higher in men in the younger age category (≥40 to <60 years) and twice as high in older men (≥60 years). Median scores on the apnoea-hypopnoea index were significantly lower in premenopausal women (2·8 events per h) compared with postmenopausal women (8·7 p<0·0001)."
I hope that future research will unravel the myriad causes and consequences of SDB, including what protects many younger women from having OSA.