Gender-specific cardiovascular risks in sleep apnoea syndrome: a call for precision medicine

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Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) affects nearly 1 billion people globally, with a prevalence two to four times higher in men than women.
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Women with OSA face a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular diseases compared to men, with hazard ratios indicating greater vulnerability.
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Current clinical trials on OSA therapy disproportionately include men, leading to underrepresentation of women and their unique symptoms.
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The apnoea–hypopnea index (AHI) may not accurately reflect the severity of OSA in women, potentially overlooking their cardiovascular risks.
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There is a critical need for prospective studies to explore gender-specific cardiovascular risks and inform tailored treatment strategies for OSA.

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