Brief observation
Effects of obesity on C-reactive protein level and metabolic disturbances in male patients with obstructive sleep apnea

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Subjects

We studied 47 men with obstructive sleep apnea. The diagnosis was established by polysomnography, which included continuous recording of oronasal flow, thoracoabdominal movements, electrocardiography, submental and pretibial electromyography, electrooculography, electroencephalography, and arterial oxygen saturation (Ultrasom Nicolett, Madison, Wisconsin). Apnea was defined as the absence of airflow for more than 10 seconds. Hypopnea was defined as airflow reduction for more than 10 seconds

Results

The two groups of patients with obstructive sleep apnea and the healthy control subjects had similar mean ages (Table 1). Compared with nonobese patients and healthy controls, obese patients had higher blood pressure, insulin levels, HOMA indexes, and C-reactive protein levels (Table 1). In multiple regression analyses, study group (obese vs. nonobese) was the only variable associated significantly with C-reactive protein and insulin levels (both P <0.005).

Compliance with CPAP treatment was

Discussion

Our results show that obese men with obstructive sleep apnea have increased levels of C-reactive protein and alterations in insulin resistance. These abnormalities did not occur in men with sleep apnea who were not obese.

Previous studies have reported that patients with obstructive sleep apnea have evidence of systemic inflammation—including elevated levels of C-reactive protein 8, 19 and soluble intercellular adhesion molecules (20)—as well as metabolic abnormalities like insulin resistance 11

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  • Cited by (0)

    Supported in part by ABEMAR, SEPAR, Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (01/0786 and 02/0334), and Red Respira (RTIC C03/11).

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