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Obstructive sleep apnoea and urine catecholamines in hypertensive males: a population-based study
A Elmasry1, E Lindberg, J Hedner
1Dept of Medical Sciences, Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Uppsala University, Akademiska sjukhuset, Sweden.
The European Respiratory Journal
|April 9, 2002
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is linked to higher levels of urinary catecholamines in hypertensive men. This suggests increased sympathoadrenal activity in individuals with OSA, potentially explaining related cardiovascular risks.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Sleep Medicine
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Previous studies on obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and sympathoadrenal activity lacked control for confounding factors like hypertension.
- Hypertension is known to influence sympathetic function, complicating previous research findings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between OSA and urinary catecholamines in a population-based sample of hypertensive males.
- To determine if OSA is independently linked to elevated sympathoadrenal activity in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A population-based sample of 2,668 males aged 40-79 years completed questionnaires on sleep disorders and diseases.
- An age-stratified subsample of 116 hypertensive males underwent sleep monitoring and overnight urine analysis.
- Urinary catecholamine metabolites (normetanephrine, metanephrine) were measured and correlated with OSA severity (apnoea-hypopnoea index).
Main Results:
- Subjects with OSA (apnoea-hypopnoea index ≥10/h) exhibited significantly higher urinary normetanephrine and metanephrine concentrations compared to those without OSA.
- Multiple regression analysis confirmed an independent association between sleep-disordered breathing and elevated normetanephrine and metanephrine levels.
- These findings persisted after controlling for major confounding factors.
Conclusions:
- Obstructive sleep apnoea is associated with increased urinary catecholamine metabolites in hypertensive males, indicating heightened sympathoadrenal activity.
- This elevated sympathoadrenal activity may contribute to the increased cardiovascular morbidity observed in patients with OSA.
- The study highlights the importance of considering OSA in hypertensive individuals with potential sympathetic dysfunction.
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