Psychiatry Investig.  2011 Sep;8(3):245-249.

The Association of Obesity with Insulin Resistance in Male Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome in Korea

• Chung S
• Yoon IY
• Ju G

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) has been associated with cardiovascular complications and insulin resistance has been implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of atherosclerosis. We investigated whether insulin resistance is associated with OSAS independent of obesity.
METHODS
A total of 183 male patients with OSAS and 52 healthy controls were assessed by nocturnal polysomnography (NPSG). After NPSG, serum concentrations of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose and insulin were measured. Insulin resistance was determined by calculating the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).
RESULTS
Subjects were divided into normal control, mild-to-moderate OSA group (n=96) and severe OSA group (n=87). There were no significant differences among groups in age, body mass index (BMI), neck circumference or waist circumference. Serum concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR scores of normal controls did not differ from those of the mild-to-moderate or severe OSAS groups. HOMA-IR significantly correlated with anthropometric variables, oxygen desaturation index, triglyceride and LDL cholesterol. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed that waist circumference (beta=0.35) and triglycerides (beta=0.27) were significant determinants of HOMA-IR (adjusted R2=20%, p<0.01).
CONCLUSION
Insulin resistance was related to obesity itself rather than OSAS severity or nocturnal hypoxemia-related variables. In preventing cardiovascular complications in OSAS patients, weight reduction should be considered.

Keyword

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome; Insulin resistance; Obesity; HOMA-IR

MeSH Terms

Atherosclerosis
Body Mass Index
Cholesterol
Cholesterol, LDL
Glucose
Homeostasis
Humans
Insulin
Insulin Resistance
Linear Models
Lipoproteins
Male
Neck
Obesity
Oxygen
Polysomnography
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive
Triglycerides
Waist Circumference
Weight Loss
Cholesterol
Cholesterol, LDL
Glucose
Insulin
Lipoproteins
Oxygen
Triglycerides