Association between Serum Homocysteine Level and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common problem that affects human health. Researches have reported a variety of results with reference to the association between OSA and serum homocysteine (Hcy) level. This meta-analysis is proposed to figure out the association between serum Hcy level and OSA.

METHODS

Eligible studies were identified via searching PubMed, Embase, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Two independent reviewers reviewed studies. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS) was employed for quality assessment of included studies. RevMan (5.1) software and STATA (12.0) software were applied to data analyses.

RESULTS

10 studies containing 839 subjects were included in the present meta-analysis; results revealed that Hcy levels in OSA group were 2.40 mol/l higher than that in control group (95% confidence interval: 0.6 to 4.20, < 0.01; = 96%). Subgroup analysis showed a significant increase of serum Hcy level in OSA patients compared with healthy controls when apnea hyperpnoea index (AHI) >= 30.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum Hcy levels and OSA have close-knit and significant association. Analyses demonstrated that patients with OSA had a higher serum Hcy level than healthy controls. In addition, this difference is more significant in moderate or severe OSA patients.