Predictor of Sleep Apnea in Boys, Men Identified

Although inflammation is known to be associated with sleep apnea, it may also predict the risk of developing sleep apnea in boys and men, according to a recent study. Specifically, higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) can predict the onset of sleep apnea among this patient population.

Currently, approximately 17% to 24% of men and 5% to 9% of women are affected by sleep apnea. Men tend to have more abdominal fat, which is associated with higher levels of inflammation and poses a significant risk for developing sleep apnea. Furthermore, inflammation levels tend to correlate with the severity of sleep apnea symptoms.
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To explore this association further, the researchers assessed 51 patients with sleep apnea. Patient ages ranged from 5 to 12 years at baseline. Patients were assessed at baseline and at 8 years follow-up. At each visit, patients had undergone a sleep study and had received a physical and a blood draw.

The severity of apnea, height, weight, and CRP levels in each patient were measured.

Results indicated that an increase in waist circumference was positively correlated with an increase in CRP in boys. In turn, CRP was found to predict the incidence sleep apnea during adolescence.

“When taken together, our findings suggest that inflammation originating from abdominal fat precedes the development of sleep apnea, rather than simply occurring as a result of the disorder,” the researchers concluded. “Other research has shown that weight loss can help reduce the severity of sleep apnea. Our study corroborates these findings by showing that, even as early as adolescence, metabolic factors are driving the development of sleep apnea, just as we see in adults.”

—Christina Vogt

Reference:

Bohn, Katie. Inflammation may precede sleep apnea, could be treatment target [press release]. Hershey, PA: Penn State University. August 31, 2017. http://news.psu.edu/story/479079/2017/08/31/research/inflammation-may-precede-sleep-apnea-could-be-treatment-target. Accessed September 1, 2017.