Sex-specific associations between erythrocyte measures and obstructive sleep apnea.

ABSTRACT:

Study objectives

Hypoxemic effects of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have been implicated in changes in erythropoiesis and hence erythrocyte measures. Sex differences are evident in both OSA and erythropoiesis. Whether sex modulates the relationship between severity of OSA and erythrocyte measures has not previously been studied.

Methods

We examined a sample of 976 patients (38% women) who underwent overnight polysomnography and measurement of red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. Patients were divided into primary snoring and mild, moderate, and severe OSA groups, separately by sex.

Results

In multiple regression models, we found significant interactions between sex and oxygen desaturation index and apnea-hypopnea index on erythrocyte measures. Higher oxyg

SUBMITTER: Li T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7954054 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature