The role of obesity in the increased prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in a population of premenopausal women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and to study the impact of obesity on the increased prevalence of OSAS in this population.

METHODS: Twenty-three premenopausal women with definite PCOS, and no prior diagnosis of a sleep disorder, were recruited from gynecology clinics. An investigator interviewed them, for symptoms of excessive sleepiness, their body mass index (BMI) was calculated, and they underwent overnight polysomnography.

RESULTS: Sixteen of 23 (69.6%) met criteria for OSAS. Five were treated with continuous positive airway pressure. Confidence interval was 47.7-84.5%. An increased respiratory disturbance index (RDI) did not correlate with higher BMI.

CONCLUSIONS: OSAS is significantly more prevalent in this population than in a population of obese women. There was no correlation between obesity and severity of the OSAS. Obesity is not the cause of this increased prevalence of OSAS in a population of women with PCOS.