Advancing Women's Apnea Knowledge, Experience, and New Evaluation Development (AWAKENED) Study
Principal Investigators: Lizabeth Goldstein, PhD and Carolyn Gibson, PhD, MPH, MSCP
Study Status: Not Yet Recruiting
What is the AWAKENED Study?
Researchers at the San Francisco VA Health Care System/University of California San Francisco are developing a new survey to screen for sleep apnea in women.
What is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a breathing disorder where the upper airway completely or partially collapses during sleep. OSA has been linked to many medical conditions, including hypertension, heart failure, stroke, diabetes, and cognitive issues.
Why focus on sleep apnea in women?
OSA is associated with numerous health challenges. OSA becomes more common as women age, with a prevalence of 9% among young women, 18% in perimenopausal women, and 29% in postmenopausal women. However, up to 98% of women with OSA may be undiagnosed because current screening tools rely on men’s common symptoms (e.g., snoring, gasping/choking during sleep). OSA tends to look different in women, who may instead present with insomnia, depression, headaches, and fatigue.
We hope our new screening tool will quickly and accurately detect sleep apnea in women so that women with OSA can be referred for appropriate treatment, resulting in better long-term health outcomes and quality of life.
Who can join?
Women Veterans living in the United States may be eligible to participate in surveys and focus groups, and both Veteran and civilian women across the United States may be eligible to participate in study activities that involve a home sleep apnea test.
What will participants be asked to do?
Participants may be asked to:
Complete surveys
- Participate in a focus group
- Participate in an interview
- Complete a home sleep apnea test
Compensation: Participants will be compensated for taking part in this study.
Location: All study procedures take place remotely. The study team is based at the San Francisco VA Health Care System/University of California San Francisco.
Contact:
Study Coordinator, Caitlin Haas: 415-889-0476
UCSF IRB: 415-476-1814
This study is funded by the NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL181024). This study is approved by the University of California, San Francisco IRB (25-44274).