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. 2014:2014:706314.
doi: 10.1155/2014/706314. Epub 2014 May 29.

Study of leptin and adiponectin as disease markers in subjects with obstructive sleep apnea

Sana Al Mutairi  1 , Olusegun A Mojiminiyi  2 , Alia Al Alawi  3 , Tahani Al Rammah  2 , Nabila Abdella  1
Affiliations

Study of leptin and adiponectin as disease markers in subjects with obstructive sleep apnea

Sana Al Mutairi et al. Dis Markers. 2014.

Abstract

Background: Published studies showed conflicting results of the associations between adiponectin and leptin levels and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). In obese patients, plasma leptin is elevated and adiponectin is decreased, and we postulate that these adipokines could be potential markers of clinical and metabolic perturbations in patients with OSA.

Methods: 147 patients with suspected OSA had polysomnography to determine the Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI). We measured fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting serum insulin, plasma leptin, adiponectin, and full lipid profile. Patients were classified on the basis of the RDI, degree of adiposity, and insulin resistance (IR) (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMAIR)).

Results: 28.6% of subjects had normal polysomnography, 34.8% had mild OSA, 19.6% had moderate OSA, and 17% had severe OSA. Obesity was more prevalent in subjects with moderate-severe OSA (47%). Adiponectin decreased significantly (P = 0.041) with increasing severity of OSA. Though BMI was significantly higher in subjects with severe OSA, paradoxically, leptin was lowest in those subjects independent of gender dimorphism.

Conclusions: Adiponectin is an independent marker of disease severity in patients with OSA. The paradoxical decrease in circulating leptin, which suggests impaired secretion, deserves further studies as a potential marker of severe OSA.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Error-bar (mean and 95% confidence interval) graphs showing gender dimorphism in the association of adipokines with severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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