Risk of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome by body mass index: Retrospective cohort study with Korean nationwide population‐based cohort

OBJECTIVE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a gynecologic endocrine disorder affecting various aspects of women's health. Research examining the association between PCOS, obesity, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in Korean populations remains limited. We assessed OSA risk in Korean with PCOS, considering body mass index (BMI). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using health insurance claims data from the National Health Insurance Service. We selected 33 638 people with PCOS and 98 110 controls with available BMI data. This is a subgroup representing our previous retrospective cohort study, which identified the relationship between PCOS and several mental disorders. Hazard ratios (HR) for PCOS were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression models. RESULTS: Obese individuals had a higher prevalence of OSA (0.60% in people with PCOS, 0.20% in controls) compared with the non-obese individuals (0.12% in people with PCOS, 0.13% in controls). PCOS (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.483, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.029-2.137) and BMI (HR: 1.104, 95% CI: 1.069-1.141) were associated with an increased risk of OSA. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the risk of OSA is higher in people with PCOS. This research holds significance by indicating that obesity at the time of PCOS diagnosis could serve as a potential predictor for OSA. This study supports international PCOS guidelines that recommend screening and managing OSA.