Phenotype Evaluation in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea (Ahi>15)



Jalili N ; Abtahi S H ; Rahimi B
Source: Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research Published:2026

Abstract

Background & Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep-related breathing disorder characterized by recurrent upper airway obstruction during sleep, leading to arousal and reduced arterial oxygen saturation. This study compared patients with an apnea index <5 and >5 among individuals with moderate-to-severe OSA (AHI >15). Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Imam Khomeini Hospital Sleep Laboratory in Tehran, Iran, between 2023 and 2024. Demographic and clinical characteristics of all the patients were recorded. Sleep-related variables included excessive daytime sleepiness assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, snoring, oxygen desaturation index (ODI), apnea index, apnea hypopnea index (AHI), and the duration of nocturnal oxygen saturation below 90%. Prescribed treatments, including medication, surgery, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), or bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP), treatment adherence, and the duration of device use were also assessed. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Results: Among 112 patients, 52.7% were female and 47.3% were male, with a mean age of 51±13.4 years. Overall, 32.1% had hypertension. The mean BMI was 31.84±7.55, mean neck circumference was 40.83 cm, mean ODI was 36.1, mean Epworth Sleepiness Scale score was 11.98±5, and mean AHI was 43.14±31.96. BMI and neck circumference were lower in women, whereas ODI was higher in women. Among 28 patients who received a device, 15 had an apnea index <5 and 13 had an index >5. All patients in the <5 group used the device for >4 hours, compared with 12 patients in the >5 group. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that addressing barriers to obtaining and using treatment devices may improve treatment adherence. Although a considerable number of patients did not obtain the prescribed device, adherence among those who did was generally favorable, with most patients using the device for at least 4 hours per night. © 2026 Farname Inc.. All rights reserved.