TY - JOUR T1 - Sex differences in obstructive sleep apnoea JF - European Respiratory Review JO - EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW DO - 10.1183/16000617.0030-2019 VL - 28 IS - 154 SP - 190030 AU - Maria R. Bonsignore AU - Tarja Saaresranta AU - Renata L. Riha Y1 - 2019/12/31 UR - http://err.ersjournals.com/content/28/154/190030.abstract N2 - Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) have long been considered predominantly male-related conditions. The clinical presentation of sleep disordered breathing in females differs from males and can vary with age and physiological status, e.g. menopause and pregnancy. Overall, females appear to be more symptomatic, with lower apnoea–hypopnoea index scores compared to males. Furthermore, they appear to have more prolonged partial upper airway obstruction, and may report insomnia as a symptom of OSAHS more frequently. As a consequence of these differences in clinical presentation, females with sleep disordered breathing are often underdiagnosed and undertreated compared to males. This review is aimed at discussing the epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathophysiology and hormonal and metabolic differences in females who present with OSA/OSAHS in comparison to males. Changes accross the lifespan can alter the expression of OSA in females at both symptomatic and physiological levels. OSA in females is different from that in males, and is under-studied. http://bit.ly/2XTnXPK ER -