Diagnostic challenges of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome:Acomparative study between elderly and younger populations

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Published Apr 12, 2026
https://doi.org/10.62438/tunismed.v104i03.5632
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Vol. 104 No. 03 (2026): Tunis Med Mar 2026

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Emna Ben Jemia
Pneumology Department,Charles Nicolles Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis,University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
Sarra Trimech
Pneumology Department,Charles Nicolles Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
Amal Saidani
Pneumology Department,Charles Nicolles Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
Hend Ouertani
Pneumology Department,Charles Nicolles Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
Jihen Ben Amar
Pneumology Department,Charles Nicolles Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
Haifa Zaibi
Pneumology Department,Charles Nicolles Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia

Abstract

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in the elderly is common but underdiagnosed pathology due to the accumulated prevalence,
atypical symptoms and associated comorbidities. The objective of our study was to determine the clinical and polygraphy characteristics of OSAS in
elderly subjects by comparing them to young subjects.
Methods: Retrospective and comparative study conducted in the pulmonology department of Charles Nicolle Hospital in Tunis, including 110 patients with OSAS. They were divided into two groups: Group 1 including 55 subjects aged 65 and over, and Group 2 including 55 young subjects aged between 18 and 64 years. Clinical, and polygraphy data were collected.
Results: The mean age of the elderly subjects was 71 ± 4.6 years, on the other hand the mean age of the young subjects was 50 ± 11 years. Predominance
of female sex was in both groups, with less smoking among elders and the absence of alcohol consumption. Physical activity was low in both groups but younger patients were more active (p=0.05). Family obesity was more common among young patients. Comorbidities were more present in the elderly subjects predominantly dyslipidemia (AUC=0.66; p=0.003; CI [0.56-0.76]) followed by high blood pressure (AUC=0.65; p=0.005; CI [0.55-0.75])
and diabetes (AUC=0.62; p=0.021; CI [0.52-0.73]). There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding most of the symptoms but
nycturia that was mainly observed among older patients (p=0.017). the AUC was high for the NoSAS score indicating a high discriminant value (0.6; CI
[0.51-0.70])....(abstract truncated at 250 words)

Keywords:

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, Elderly, Polysomnography, Prognosis

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