ABSTRACT

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with intermittent hypoxia. OSA leads to increased sympathetic activation, oxidative stress, vascular endothelial dysfunction, coagulation disorders and metabolic dysregulation. These disturbances increase the the risk of inflammation and cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this article is to review the laboratory parameters of OSA patients without any comorbidities.

This retrospective study of consecutive 675 patients who had polysomnography, was conducted on one hundred and thirty patients who did not have any comorbidities. Laboratory values of patients were evaluated. Patients were grouped according to apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Group 1 (n=17) AHI <5; group 2 (n=42) AHI=5-14.9; group 3 (n=31) AHI=15-29.9 and group 4 (n=40) AHI >30.

There were 88 men (67.7%) and 42 women (32.3%) in the study. Mean age, body mass index, Epworth score and AHI were 41.6±11.3 (16-75), 29.6±6.3 (17.1-65.7) 9.9±5.5, 6.2±11.34, respectively. Serum glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels were higher in group 4 (p=0.03, p=0.04, p=0.02, respectively). Uric acid and fibrinogen levels were higher in patients with higher AHI (p=0.038).

Our study indicates that increased blood glucose, uric acid and dyslipidemia are associated with OSA regardless of comorbidities.

Keywords: Obstructive sleep apnea, glucose, uric acid, dyslipidemia, fibrinogen