Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Independent of Metabolic Syndrome Pubmed



Amra B^{1, 4} ; Karbasi E¹ ; Hashemi M¹ ; Hoffmanncastendiek B² ; Golshan M^{1, 3}
Source: Annals of the Academy of Medicine Singapore Published:2009

Abstract

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), characterised by intermittent hypoxia/re-oxygenation, has been identified as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and endothelial dysfunction. Our aim was to investigate flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea with and without metabolic syndrome. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two subjects with OSAS diagnosed by polysomnography were classified into 2 groups according to the presence and absence of the metabolic syndrome and also according to the severity: mild to moderate OSAS group and severe OSAS group. Endothelial function of the brachial artery was evaluated by using high-resolution vascular ultrasound. Endothelial-dependent dilatation (EDD) was assessed by establishing reactive hyperaemia and endothelial-independent dilatation (EID) was determined by using sublingual isosorbide dinitrate. Spearman correlation and regression analysis were performed. Results: EDD was not significantly different in patients with OSAS and metabolic syndrome as compared with OSAS without metabolic syndrome (4.62 ± 0.69 versus 4.49 ± 0.93, P >0.05). Conclusions: Endothelial dysfunction in OSA may be independent of metabolic syndrome.