Obstructive sleep apnea and the risk of mortality in patients with lung cancer: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Purpose: Prior reports have examined the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the mortality rate of lung cancer. However, the findings remain controversial. The present meta-analysis was performed to assess the relationship between OSA and increased risk of mortality in patients with lung cancer.

Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were systematically searched for the correlative studies. Data were analyzed and pooled to evaluate odds ratios (ORs) of lung cancer mortality related to OSA.

Results: From 249 identified studies, 3 met inclusion criteria and were analyzed, including 67 patients with lung cancer and comorbid OSA and 45 patients with lung cancer and no OSA. The meta-analysis indicated that OSA was not significantly correlated with mortality rate in lung cancer (OR = 2.005, 95% CI = 0.703 to 5.715, z = 1.30, p = 0.193). There was no significant publication bias according to Begg's tests (p = 0.296) and Egger's tests (p = 0.097).

Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that OSA is not significantly correlated with the mortality rate in lung cancer.

Keywords: Adult; Lung cancer; Meta-analysis; Mortality; Obstructive sleep apnea; Outcome.