Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Comparison of Black and White Subjects

Objective To determine if the severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) differs by racial group. Study Design Cross‐sectional retrospective review. Setting University‐based sleep disorders laboratory. Methods The study reviewed the results of 280 adult (>18 y) patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome by overnight polysomnogram between July 1, 1999, and June 30, 2000. Factors analyzed included age, sex, race, presence of hypertension, body mass index (kg/m²), respiratory disturbance index (RDI), and lowest oxygen saturation level. Results Blacks with OSA are significantly more obese and have significantly higher rates of hypertension than white subjects with OSA. Black females with OSA are significantly younger than white females at the time of diagnosis (P = .005). Black males with OSA have significantly lower oxygen saturations than white males (P = .025). Conclusion Black males who present to the otolaryngologist‐head and neck surgeon for evaluation of sleep‐disordered breathing may be at increased risk of severe OSA.