Demographic Differences in Periodic Limb Movement Index and Apnea–Hypopnea Index in a Diverse Clinical Cohort

Lourdes M. DelRosso (), Harshil Modi, Alec M. Chan-Golston, Prabhvir Sandhu, Viraj Jain and Moon Park
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Lourdes M. DelRosso: Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, Fresno, CA 93701, USA
Harshil Modi: Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, Fresno, CA 93701, USA
Alec M. Chan-Golston: Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA
Prabhvir Sandhu: Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA
Viraj Jain: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA
Moon Park: Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, Fresno, CA 93701, USA

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 10, 1-11

Abstract: This study investigated how age, sex, and ethnicity relate to the severity of periodic limb movement index (PLMI) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a diverse clinical population. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 711 adults who underwent diagnostic polysomnography between June 2022 and July 2024. The mean age was 57.2 years; 55.6% were female, and the sample was ethnically diverse (53.7% White, 31.6% Hispanic, 6.8% Asian, 6.1% Black, 1.8% Other). PLMI was significantly higher in older adults, males, and White participants. AHI was higher in males and peaked in middle-aged adults (44–62 years). Multivariable regression models showed that male sex independently predicted higher PLMI and AHI, while increasing age was associated with higher PLMI only. Black ethnicity was linked to lower PLMI, and Hispanic ethnicity to higher AHI. These findings emphasize the role of demographic factors in the presentation of sleep disorders and support the need for personalized approaches in screening and diagnosis. Recognizing at-risk subgroups may improve early detection and targeted interventions for both PLMS and OSA in diverse populations.

Keywords: periodic limb movements; obstructive sleep apnea; sleep disparities; ethnicity; sex differences; age; PLMI; AHI; polysomnography (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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