Sex differences in clinical and prognostic trajectories in patients with idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder: Insights from the FARPRESTO cohort

Do Men and Women Experience REM Sleep Disorder Differently? Important Clues from the FARPRESTO Study REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a condition where people physically act out their dreams, sometimes violently. This can lead to injuries and may be an early sign of brain diseases like Parkinson’s. Researchers have long wondered whether men and women experience RBD differently, but past studies have shown mixed results. This study is part of the FARPRESTO project, a large research effort across 13 centers in Italy. It looked at 536 people diagnosed with idiopathic RBD (iRBD), meaning the disorder occurs without a known cause. The goal was to understand how men and women differ in terms of when symptoms start, how long it takes to get diagnosed, and what other symptoms they experience. The study found that women were diagnosed with iRBD at an older age than men. Women also had more issues like low blood pressure when standing (orthostatic hypotension), depression, and hallucinations. Interestingly, women were more likely to hurt themselves during sleep, such as falling out of bed or hitting themselves. However, both men and women had similar chances of developing a neurodegenerative disease later on. These findings show that men and women may experience iRBD in different ways. Understanding these differences can help doctors diagnose the condition earlier and provide better, more personalized care. As research continues, considering sex-specific symptoms could lead to improved treatment and outcomes for patients with RBD.