A comparison of polysomnographic variables between obese adolescents with polycystic ovarian syndrome and healthy, normal-weight and obese adolescents

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in polysomnographic variables between obese adolescents with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and healthy, normal-weight and obese controls, as the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is increased in adults with PCOS. Methods Twenty-two obese adolescents with PCOS (mean age 15.2 ± 1.3 years, mean BMI 31.7 ± 6.2 kg/m 2 ), 18 healthy, normal-weight adolescents (mean age 15.0 ± 0.9 years, mean BMI 20.6 ± 2.3 kg/m 2 ), and 11 healthy, obese adolescents (mean age 15.0 ± 1.0 years, mean BMI 34.8 ± 8.7 kg/m 2 ) underwent polysomnography to compare mean transcutaneous arterial oxygen saturation (Sat O 2 ), apnea index (AI), hypopnea index (HI), apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), the absolute number of obstructive apneas (NOA), percentage sleep stages 3 and 4 of non-REM sleep (stages 3 and 4), percentage of REM sleep (%REM), sleep-onset latency, and sleep efficiency. Results We found no differences between the three groups concerning Sat O 2 , AI, HI, AHI, NOA, and stages 3 and 4. The girls with PCOS differed from normal-weight and obese controls regarding sleep-onset latency and sleep efficiency and from the normal-weight controls regarding %REM. Conclusions OSAS does not seem to be more prevalent in adolescents with PCOS. Concerning the respiratory variables, adolescents with PCOS do not seem to differ from healthy controls; however, there seem to be differences concerning sleep architecture.