Obstructive sleep apnea in women and the elderly

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disease with major consequences. Obesity and aging, as well as male gender, are recog - nized risk factors for OSA; however, the condition of OSA in women and the elderly has received only minimal attention. OSA in women is perhaps under-appreciated due to the traditional stereotype of an older obese man presenting with OSA. However, OSA in women, particularly post-menopause, can have important sequelae. Similarly, OSA in the elderly may have unique mechanisms, and the conse - quences are still debated. Further work is clearly needed to defne the mechanisms and consequences of OSA in special populations.