Işıl Yazıcı Gençdal, Mesrure Köseoğlu, Vasfiye Kabeloğlu, Oya Öztürk, Kürşat Nuri Baydili
Comprehensive Medicine - 2025;17(4):338-345
Objective: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a key symptom in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). The relationship between EDS and polysomnographic parameters across different OSAS phenotypes has not been fully elucidated. This study evaluated demographic characteristics, polysomnographic findings, and EDS severity among OSAS clinical phenotypes (classical OSAS, REM [rapid eye movement]-related OSAS, positional OSAS [P-OSAS], and REM+positional OSAS) and subgroups defined according to Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with OSAS diagnosed by polysomnography. Participants were categorised into clinical phenotypes and stratified into the EDS (ESS score >10) and non-EDS (ESS score <=10) groups. Demographic data, apnoea-hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI), minimum oxygen saturation, and heart rate (HR) parameters were compared between the EDS and non-EDS groups. Results: EDS was associated with male sex, the presence of comorbidities (particularly hypertension), and higher AHI, BMI, and body weight values (p<0.05). The highest EDS prevalence was observed in the classical OSAS group, followed by the P-OSAS group (p<0.05). Patients with EDS showed lower mean and minimum oxygen saturation levels and higher ODI values (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed in HR values among the OSAS phenotypes or between the ESS-based subgroups. Conclusion: EDS was associated with OSAS disease severity. Among the clinical phenotypes, the risk of EDS was observed to be highest in patients with classical OSAS and P-OSAS. The early identification of OSAS subtypes, particularly the REM- and position-dependent forms, is essential for personalised treatment and improved clinical outcomes. Keywords: EXCESSIVE DAYTIME SLEEPINESS, OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA SYNDROME, PHENOTYPE, POSITIONAL
