Cardiovascular risk factors in men and women with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome

Summary 

We wished to evaluate the prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) before initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and without any declared or diagnosed pre-existing CV disorder. We wanted to compare the prevalence of these CV risk factors between men and women in an observational study. A questionnaire concerning CV risk factors was submitted to the patients, by a respiratory home-care technician at the time of installation of the CPAP treatment.

Patients

The study population consisted of 1117 patients; 834 men, 283 women.

Results

The prevalence of arterial hypertension (HT), diabetes, obesity, active smoking, hyperlipidemia and family history of coronary heart disease was 54.1%, 22.8%, 65.8%, 18.3%, 33.8% and 20%, respectively.

Women had significantly more HT (62.1 vs 51.4%), diabetes (29.9 vs 20.4%), obesity (77 vs 62%) and family history of coronary disease (25.1 vs 18.2%). The prevalence of active smoking was significantly higher in men (20.4 vs 12%). The prevalence of hyperlipidemia was not different between men and women (34.5 vs 31.8%). Stepwise logistic regression showed that HT and diabetes were both independently associated with BMI and age, while diabetes and not HT was independently associated with female gender.

The prevalence of classical CV risk factors was very high in this population with OSAS requiring CPAP, especially in women. There is thus a very elevated CV risk level independent of that directly related to OSAS. It is important to screen for and treat classical CV risk factors in this population.

Keywords: Sleep apnoea, Cardiovascular risk, Diabetes, Hypertension, Questionnaire, Continuous positive airway pressure