Can anatomical and functional features in the upper airways predict sleep apnea? A population-based study in females.

CONCLUSION: The importance of clinical findings in the nose and throat, including fiberoptic endoscopy during the Muller maneuver, in predicting sleep apnea is greater in normal-weight than in overweight women.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify clinical features that could predict sleep apnea in women.

METHOD: From 6817 women who previously answered a questionnaire concerning snoring habits, 230 women who reported habitual snoring and 170 women from the whole cohort went through a full-night polysomnography. A nose and throat examination including fiber endoscopic evaluation of the upper airways during the Muller maneuver was performed in a random selection of 132 women aged 20-70 years.

RESULTS: Sleep apnea was defined as an apnea-hypopnea index of > or = 10. The influence of clinical features on the prevalence of sleep apnea varied between normal-weight and overweight women. A low soft palate, retrognathia, the uvula touching the posterior pharyngeal wall in the supine position, and a 75% or more collapse at the soft palate during the Muller maneuver were all significant predictors of sleep apnea in women with a body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m2 but not in overweight women.