The Importance of Inclusive Education: Sex and Gender Differences in Sleep Apnea and Sleep Disorders
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Date
2024-04
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Abstract
The American Medical Women’s Association initiative, the Sex and Gender Health Collaborative, aims to advocate for and advance sex and gender medicine by creating inclusive medical education via factsheets. Currently, 76 factsheets are in progress, comparing and contrasting various healthcare conditions in men and women. Sex and gender, often used interchangeably, are truly two distinct ideas. Sex refers to the biological assignment at birth based on genitalia and physical characteristics. Whereas, gender refers to a spectrum of socially constructed characteristics. The importance of sex and gender medicine is to consider the whole person to create the best care plan. The purpose of my research is to fill a gap in medical understanding and education of differences between sleep apnea and sleep disorders for sex and gender.
Over 30 articles were compiled via Google Scholar searches using the keywords: “Sex and gender differences in sleep,” “Sleep differences,” and “Gender-specific Sleep Apnea.” Twenty of those articles were read and extracted for data for differences between sex and gender through seven categories: risk factors, prevalence, prevention, clinical presentation, pathophysiology, diagnostics, and treatment. The assigned physician mentor specialist then reviews the factsheet. After final approval, it is turned into an infographic to be used for the public, healthcare providers, and medical education. My research results showed a 90% rate of underdiagnosis for women with a presentation of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The results also showed differences in risk factors and treatment for men and women. Women have more significant risk factors like poorer sleep quality and increased risk of cardiovascular problems due to OSA. Even with those extra risks and presenting with the classic associated symptoms, they are less likely to be treated because they miss the treatment cutoffs, such as the apnea-hypopnea index. The need for research and medicine to include sex and gender differences is imperative for proper patient treatment and care. This research is a stepping stone in medical care and education through inclusivity and diversity. Future studies and research must focus on, understand, and specialize in health care for differences in biological sex and the gender spectrum.
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Keywords
Sleep Apnea, Sleep Disorders, Sex and Gender Differences, Medical Education, Diversity