RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Sex differences in the association between arterial hypertension, blood pressure and sleep apnea in the general population JF ERJ Open Research JO erjor FD European Respiratory Society SP 25 DO 10.1183/23120541.sleepandbreathing-2021.25 VO 7 IS suppl 7 A1 F Bauters A1 K Hertegonne A1 D Pevernagie A1 M De Buyzere A1 J Chirinos A1 E Rietzschel YR 2021 UL http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/7/suppl_7/25.abstract AB Introduction: Although sleep apnea and hypertension have been linked, little is known about sex differences.Study objectives: To assess sex-related differences in the relationship between hypertension (HT), blood pressure (BP) and sleep apnea (SA) in the general population.Methods: We performed home polygraphy in a community-based cohort of 1809 men and women. Office BP was measured. Presence of HT (drug-treated, physician-diagnosed, or high BP during study visit) was also recorded. HT rate and BP were assessed over a range of seven SA severity categories based on the respiratory event index (REI).Results: The age adjusted HT prevalence rate increased with higher REI in both sexes. After additional adjustment for obesity the association remained significant in women but not in men. In participants not treated with antihypertensive medications, age-adjusted BP increased with REI. Remarkably, the association was already significant within the normal range (REI < 5 h-1). The REI threshold for higher BP was situated at a distinctly lower cutoff point in women compared to men. After additional adjustment for obesity, the associations remained significant for diastolic but not systolic BP.Conclusions: Significant increases in the age adjusted BP and HT rate in the general population were present at lower REI cutoffs in women compared to men. Even a very low number of respiratory events was associated with higher BP and HT prevalence. Adjustment for obesity attenuated these associations, especially in men. Sex differences in BP susceptibility across the SA spectrum may be present.FootnotesCite this article as ERJ Open Research 2021; 7: Suppl. 7, 25.This is an ERS Lung Science Conference abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).