ObjectiveTo study the characteristics of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in male patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and explore their relationships with apnea hypopnea index (AHI) obtained by polysomnography (PSG).MethodsA total of 1235 male subjects undergoing PSG in our department were included. According to the AHI, they were divided into normal control group, mild and moderate as well as severe OSAHS groups. The duration and percentage of REM sleep were compared among the four groups.ResultsThe percentage of REM sleep was (12.36±6.05)% in the control group, (11.97±6.53)% in the mild OSAHS group, (11.26±5.58)% in the moderate group, (8.73±5.32)% in the severe group, respectively. Each additional 10 times/h of AHI was associated with a 0.75% decreased percentage of REM sleep. REM sleep deprivation in the severe OSAHS group was more obvious than those in both the mild and moderate groups, and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.001).ConclusionWith the increase of AHI, the percentage of REM sleep gets decreased and sleep architecture disorder is aggravated in male patients with OSAHS, especially in those with severe OSAHS.