Gender differences in sleep architecture in sleep apnoea syndrome

SUMMARY  This study compared sleep architecture in women and men with sleep apnoea syndrome. Women (n= 126) had longer sleep latencies, greater amounts of slow wave sleep, and fewer awakenings during the night than men (n= 181), despite no differences in age, RDI (Respiratory Disturbance Index) or oxygen saturation. In a subgroup of men and women treated with nasal CPAP, gender differences generally persisted. There was no difference in the complaint of daytime sleepiness between the groups, but the women reported more fatigue during the day than the men, as well as complaining about more sleep disturbance at night. We interpret these differences in terms of known gender differences in sleep architecture and sleep complaints.