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Osteoporosis risk higher in women, older adults with sleep apnea
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People diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, and particularly women and older individuals, may be at an increased risk for osteoporosis, according to research published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
In a retrospective cohort study, researchers at the Chi Mei Medical Center in Tainan, Taiwan, looked at random samples of 1 million individuals collected from the country’s National Health Insurance database to determine how episodes of apnea/hypopnea and hypoxia in tissues affect bone metabolism.
“Ongoing sleep disruptions caused by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can harm many of the body's systems, including the skeletal system,” Kai-Jen Tien, MD, of the Chi Mei Medical Center, said in a press release. “When sleep apnea periodically deprives the body of oxygen, it can weaken bones and raise the risk of osteoporosis. The progressive condition can lead to bone fractures, increased medical costs, reduced quality of life and even death.”
The team analyzed osteoporosis diagnosis rates in 1,377 people newly diagnosed with OSA from 2000 to 2008 against rates in 20,655 people, comparable in age and sex, who did not have the sleep disorder. Participants were tracked until osteoporosis diagnosis, death or the end of 2011.
At the 6-year follow-up, patients with OSA were found to be at higher risk for osteoporosis than patients without OSA (HR=2.739; 95% CI, 1.69-4.44), after adjustment for age, sex, diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, obesity, stroke, hyperlipidemia, chronic kidney disease, gout, monthly income and geographical location.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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