Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate demographic characteristics, disease severity distribution, accompanying chronic comorbidities, and positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment practices in adult patients assessed by polysomnography for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). This single-center, retrospective, observational study included adult patients aged ≥18 years who underwent diagnostic polysomnography in the sleep laboratory between January 1 and December 31, 2024. Patients with technically adequate and analyzable polysomnography recordings were enrolled. OSAS diagnosis and severity were classified based on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Demographic data, clinical symptoms, comorbid conditions, and PAP therapy modalities were retrospectively obtained from medical records. A total of 407 patients were included; 258 (63.4%) were male and 149 (36.6%) were female. The mean age was 51.3 ± 14.8 years, and the mean body mass index was 34.5 ± 7.2 kg/m². According to polysomnography, severe OSAS was detected in 34.4% of patients, moderate OSAS in 20.4%, and mild OSAS in 25.3%. Normal polysomnography findings were observed in 12.8% of cases, while 4.2% yielded inconclusive results. Male patients exhibited higher mean AHI values and a greater prevalence of severe OSAS. Female patients more frequently reported symptoms such as snoring, witnessed apnea, and excessive daytime sleepiness. At least one chronic comorbidity was present in 57.7% of patients, with hypertension and diabetes mellitus being the most common. PAP therapy was primarily initiated in patients with severe OSAS, with CPAP and BPAP as the most frequently used modalities. OSAS is commonly associated with obesity and cardiometabolic comorbidities in the adult population, with notable sex-related differences in disease severity and symptom presentation. PAP therapy was predominantly applied in severe cases, highlighting the importance of comprehensive clinical assessment that integrates disease severity, symptom burden, and individual risk factors in treatment planning.

Key words: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, polysomnography, positive airway pressure therapy