Obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnea syndrome independently associated with low HDL cholesterol levels
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Obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnea (OSAH) syndrome, a highly-prevalent obesity and/or central fat comorbidity, is an independent risk factor for insulin resistance/diabetes and for major adverse cardiovascular events. In a cross-sectional, prospective cohort of 846 elderly volunteers, the association between OSAH and cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidaemia was investigated. Unattended at-home polygraphy was performed in all subjects, with OSAH’s severity defined as moderate (apnoea/hypopnea index: AHI >15/h) or severe (AHI >30/h). After adjusting for confounding factors, logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between severe OSAH and low HDL cholesterol levels, the association being more evident in subjects free of lipid-lowering medications or betablockers. There was no independent association between OSAH syndrome and LDL cholesterol levels. In conclusion, unrecognized moderate to severe apnoea/hypopnea syndrome is associated with low HDL cholesterol serum levels, which could underlie part of the detrimental association between (un)diagnosed OSAH syndrome and cardiovascular risk.
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