Clinical features and predictors of metabolic syndrome among obstructive sleep apnea patients

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are two diseases associated with an increased risk of cardio-metabolic complications and both share the same risk factors such as obesity and smoking.

Objectives

To study the clinical features and predictors of MetS in OSA patients.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the sleep lab of the Pulmonology Department at Kasr Al-Ainy Hospital, Cairo University, during the period from September 2022 to March 2023. Eighty OSA patients were included, and each patient was subjected to history taking, body measurements, blood pressure measurements, Epworth sleepiness scale, STOP-BANG score, polysomnography, and laboratory investigations including lipid profile and (HBA1C), MetS was defined based on the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) guidelines. Then patients were classified into two groups; OSA with MetS and OSA without MetS, we compared both groups using a one-way (ANOVA) test.

Results

MetS was diagnosed in 66.3% of the study group. OSA with MetS had higher BMI (44.76 ± 9.55) with significant p values (< 0.001), lower average O2 saturation % (90.23 ± 5.5, p value = 0.013), and longer SPO2 time < 90% (37.39 ± 34.14, p value = 0.034) than the other group. BMI, waist, hip, and neck circumferences and SPO2 < 90% were predictors of MetS among OSA patients with significant p values. Females had significantly higher BMI (46.64 ± 9.58), p value = 0.015. Males had significantly higher AHI than females (32.99 ± 24.02 versus 19.83 ± 14.74 respectively), p value = 0.031.

Conclusion

MetS was diagnosed in 66.3% of OSA. BMI, neck, hip, waist circumferences, and SPO2 < 90% were predictors of MetS among OSA.

Trial registration

Retrospectively registered, date of registration is 18/09/2023, and number of registration is NCT06051097. The link to the study on clinicaltrials.gov.