A comparison of Asian and white patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Objective: To evaluate the possible differences between Asian and white pat ients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, Methods: A retrospective revie w of Asian and white patients during a 12-month period was conducted. Patie nts with respiratory disturbance index (RDI) greater than or equal to 15 ba sed on polysomnography were included in the study. Variables examined inclu de age, sex, body mass index (BMI), RDI, lowest oxygen saturation (LSAT), a nd cephalometric analysis data. Results: Fifty-eight Asian patients (53 men ) and 293 white patients (260 men) were studied, The Asians were younger (4 4.1 +/- 9.8 vs. 47.5 +/- 11.6 y, P = .02), and the mean BMI (kg/m(2)) was 2 6.6 +/- 3.7 in the Asians and 30.7 +/- 5.9 in the whites (P < .001). The me an RDI was similar (56.6 +/- 34.9 vs. 55.6 +/- 26.9, P = NS), but the mean LSAT was lower in the whites (77.7 +/- 9.9% vs. 70.0 +/- 15.6%, P < .001). Based on the cephalometric data, the Asians have maxillomandibular protrusi on, narrower cranial base angle, larger posterior airway space, and more su periorly positioned hyoid bone compared with the whites. Conclusions: Altho ugh male gender was found to be an important risk factor for obstructive sl eep apnea syndrome in both Asian and white patients, obesity may be a less significant risk factor in the Asians because the majority of our Asian pat ients were non-obese. There was also variability in the craniomandibular fa ctors that contributed to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in the two group s.