Relationship between sleep-disordered breathing and lifestyle-related illnesses in subjects who have undergone health-screening

Intern Med. 2006;45(15):891-6. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.45.1592. Epub 2006 Sep 1.

Abstract

Objective: Simplified sleep polysomnography was performed in 207 adult men to examine the relationship between the frequency of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and lifestyle-related illness.

Methods: Each subject was checked for SDB using a simplified sleep polysomnograph (Auto-Set Portable; Teijin Limited, Tokyo, Japan). Apnea and hypopnea were detected with a nasal cannula type airflow sensor. Hypoxemia was checked with a percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitor. We analyzed the relationships between SDB and body mass index (BMI) and hypertension, hyperlipidemia, liver dysfunction, fatty liver, and abnormal glucose metabolism.

Results: Fifty-nine subjects (29%) showed SDB with apnea hypopnea index (AHI) over 15 times/h. The frequency of obesity (BMI > or = 25), hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, fasting blood glucose level, and HbA1c were significantly higher in patients with SDB than in normal individuals (AHI < 5 times/h). The frequencies of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and abnormal glucose metabolism were compared between the obesity-free normal AHI group and the SDB group, and only that of hypertension was significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusions: The present study revealed a high frequency of SDB among Japanese individuals. The results also suggest that as SDB becomes severe, it becomes more closely linked to the onset of lifestyle-related illnesses, such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and abnormal glucose metabolism.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Body Mass Index
  • Glucose Metabolism Disorders / complications
  • Glucose Metabolism Disorders / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Hyperlipidemias / complications
  • Hyperlipidemias / epidemiology
  • Hypertension / complications
  • Hypertension / epidemiology
  • Life Style*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / complications
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Polysomnography*
  • Risk Factors
  • Sleep Apnea Syndromes / complications*
  • Sleep Apnea Syndromes / epidemiology*