Coexistence of cardiovascular risk factors and obstructive sleep apnoea in polysomnography

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the relationship between the coexistence of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) and the incidence and severity of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

Methods: The study involved 88 people, aged 53.76 ± 12.59 years. A questionnaire, basic anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, standard laboratory tests (total cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose) and polysomnography were performed. Each patient was assessed for the presence of CVRFs: i.e. obesity, arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, type 2 diabetes and smoking. OSA was diagnosed based on the apnoea and hypopnea index (AHI) in polysomnography.

Results: It was documented that the mean AHI values were significantly higher in obese patients than in non-obese patients, in patients with arterial hypertension than in patients without hypertension, in patients with hypercholesterolaemia than in patients without hypercholesterolaemia and in patients declaring smoking than in non-smoking patients. The correlation analysis revealed a significant positive linear relationship between the number of CVRFs and the AHI value in polysomnography (r = 0.40, p < 0.05). Based on the regression analysis, it was documented that obesity, arterial hypertension and smoking are independent predictors of higher AHI values.

Conclusions: In the study group of patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors, there is a directly proportional relationship between the number of cardiovascular risk factors and the AHI index in polysomnography.

Keywords: Apnea-hypopnea index; Arterial hypertension; Cardiovascular risk factors; Hypercholesterolemia; Hypertriglyceridemia; Obesity; Obstructive sleep apnea; Smoking; Type 2 diabetes.