Impact of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea On Parameters of Metabolic Syndrome

Background: Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) and metabolic syndrome have a strong association with each other. There is also evidence, of varying strengths, from epidemiologic and clinical studies, for the independent association between OSAS and individual core components of the metabolic syndrome

Methods:

To estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its individual components in patients of OSAS,an observational hospital-based study was conducted where 97 patients with symptoms of OSAS were included. Limited sleep study was done for each patient and OSAS was diagnosed if AHI was 5 or more. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed as per the definition by National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP: ATP III). Analysis was then done to find out the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its individual components in OSAS.

Results: Of the 97 patients recruited 77(79%) had OSAS. Amongst those with OSAS, 61 (79%) had metabolic syndrome, 56 (73%) had systemic hypertension, 51 (66%) had diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance, 61 (79%) had dyslipidemia and 74 (96%) had central obesity. With the exception of diabetes mellitus/impaired glucose tolerance, the prevalence of remaining conditions was found to be higher in those with moderate-severe OSAS than those with mild OSAS.

Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome as well as its individual components amongst OSAS patients and their prevalence increases with the severity of OSA