Lipid Profile and Ankle Brachial Index in Obese Male Subjects with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Cross sectional analytical study

Lipid Profile & ABI

Abstract

Background & Objective:

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and dyslipidemia are common medical disorders that independently increase vascular morbidity and mortality. Currently, there is no conclusive data indicating that Obstructive Sleep Apnea serves as a risk factor for disrupted lipid profiles and subclinical atherosclerosis, as assessed by ankle-brachial index (ABI). The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess lipid profiles, blood sugar levels, and ankle brachial index in obese male participants with OSA and to compare them with obese individuals lacking OSA.

Methods:

In the present study, 64 obese males with BMI > 25kg/m2 were included between ages 20 - 45 years. Subjects having acute or chronic inflammatory conditions were excluded. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnosis involved two subjective assessment tools, the Berlin and STOP BANG questionnaires, followed by overnight portable pulse oximetry. The study participants were partitioned into two distinct groups, 32 with OSA and 32 without OSA. Following an overnight fast lasting between 10 to 12 hours, blood samples were collected. Fasting blood glucose and lipid profiles were then analyzed using a spectrophotometer. ABI was measured by using a Doppler ultrasound device. The data was collected and then entered SPSS version 22 and analyzed. The study utilized both Independent Samples t-test as well as Mann-Whitney U test to analyze and compare the quantitative variables across the two groups.

Results

Comparison of ABI between the study groups showed a non-significant difference p-value= 0.435. Fasting blood sugar levels showed insignificant difference (p-value 0.778) among the study groups. Comparison between the groups showed a nonsignificant difference in triglyceride levels (p= 0.413) cholesterol (p-value 0.523), HDL (p-value 0.190), and LDL (p-value 0.888).

Conclusion

Normal lipid profile and normal ABI indicate the absence of detectable atherosclerosis in young apparently healthy OSA subjects without known comorbidities.