Key result
Men show ~1.4 bpm higher ΔHR than women, alongside age-related declines and male-specific BMI increases.
Why the study?
Delta Heart Rate (ΔHR) reflects autonomic changes during respiratory events and may provide complementary physiological information beyond traditional obstructive sleep apnea metrics.
Observational (n=913)
Absolute Event Rate: 5.54% vs 4.18%
p-value: p=<0.001
Delta Heart Rate during respiratory events in obstructive sleep apnea shows distinct sex-specific patterns, declining with age in both sexes but increasing with BMI only in men, providing complementary physiological information on autonomic responses.
Requires caution interpreting heart rate responses in older women with OSA; leaves open sex- and age-specific autonomic research questions.
Introduction Introduction: Delta Heart Rate (ΔHR) reflects autonomic changes during respiratory events and may provide complementary physiological information beyond traditional obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) metrics. We examined sex-specific patterns of ΔHR and its associations with event frequency, age, and Body Mass Index (BMI) -defined strata. Methods Methods: We analyzed 913 adults (463 women). ΔHR was defined as the difference between the maximum pulse rate within a subject-specific search window spanning from a pre-event minimum to a post-event minimum and the minimum pulse rate during apneas or hypopneas, emphasizing ensemble-averaged, time-averaged changes over 10–30 seconds. OSA severity was assessed using the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI), and percentage of sleep time with SpO₂ < 90% (CT90). Group comparisons used t-tests and chi-square tests. Associations between age, BMI categories, and severity metrics were examined through sex-stratified linear models. Results Results: Mean age was 55.3±13.1 years and BMI 35.6±8.4 kg/m2. Men showed higher AHI (40.5±28.4 vs. 29.0±26.8 events/h), ODI (40.4±27.7 vs. 30.7±27.3 events/h), CT90 (35.4±30.8% vs. 31.9±32.4%), and ΔHR (5.54±2.93 vs. 4.18±1.97 bpm) compared with women (all p< 0.001). ΔHR varied across age and BMI strata in both sexes. In women, ΔHR showed a graded decline with age (β for 45–59 = –0.34; β for ≥60 = –1.10; p< 0.001 for trend), while AHI, CT90 and ODI increased across age and BMI categories. In men, ΔHR also decreased with age (β for 45–59 = –0.80; β for ≥60 = –1.50; p< 0.001 for trend) and increased among those with BMI ≥40 (β = +1.79; p=0.001). Conclusion Conclusion: ΔHR displays distinct sex-specific patterns, characterized by an age-related decline in both sexes and a BMI-related increase restricted to men. ΔHR provides complementary physiological information that enhances the characterization of autonomic responses to respiratory events. These findings support incorporating ΔHR alongside traditional metrics in population-level assessments. Support (if any) GL was supported by Fondecyt grant (Chile) number 11240972
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Labarca et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Obstructive sleep apnea (n=913). Delta Heart Rate (ΔHR) assessment vs. Sex (Men vs. Women) was evaluated on Delta Heart Rate (ΔHR) (p=<0.001). Delta Heart Rate (ΔHR) was significantly higher in men than women (5.54 vs. 4.18 bpm; p<0.001) and showed an age-related decline in both sexes, with a BMI-related increase restricted to men.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: