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Obstructive sleep apnea linked to metabolic syndrome

Researchers observed a positive association between obstructive sleep apnea and metabolic syndrome, according to results of a meta-analysis.

However, results did not prove causality.

Shaoyong Xu, of the department of endocrinology at Xijing Hospital at Fourth Military Medical University in China, and colleagues searched the PubMed, EMBASE and ISO Web of Knowledge databases for cross-sectional and case-control studies in which obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was a primary outcome and the presence or incidence of metabolic syndrome (MS) also was included.

Researchers identified 15 cross-sectional studies that included 4,161 participants (2,456 with OSA and 1,705 without), as well as five case-control studies that included 1,560 participants (1,156 with OSA and 404 without).

Results showed individuals with OSA were at increased risk for developing MS in both the cross-sectional studies (OR = 2.87; 95% CI, 2.41-3.42) and the case-control studies (OR = 2.56; 95% CI, 1.98-3.31).

Researchers reported pooled crude odds ratios for MS of 2.39 (95% CI, 1.65-3.46) among those with mild OSA and 3.45 (95% CI, 2.33-5.12) among those with moderate to severe OSA.

Xu and colleagues observed significant heterogeneity between studies; however, they found no evidence of publication bias.

“OSA and the MS are important cardiovascular risk factors and they may act synergistically,” Xu and colleagues wrote. “With the rapidly growing health problem of OSA and MS, further population- or community-based cohort and randomized controlled studies with adequate adjustment for multiple major confounding factors are required.” – by Jeff Craven

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.