The association of obesity with insulin resistance in male patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in Korea.

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 (β=0.35) and triglycerides (β=0.27) were significant determinants of HOMA-IR (adjusted R(2)=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.