Obstructive sleep apnoea and its therapy influence high-density lipoprotein cholesterol serum levels

Recent studies suggest an association of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) with cardiovascular risk factors, such as dyslipidaemia. The present study analyses the effects of OSA and its therapy on serum lipid concentrations in 470 OSA patients in a single centre study. Multivariate regression showed a significant association between the apnoea-hypopnoea index and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) serum levels (n = 366), independent of age, sex, body mass index, diabetes and lipid lowering medication. There were no independent associations with total cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol serum levels. During follow-up (6 months) with effective bilevel or continuous positive airway pressure therapy in 127 patients (lipoproteins: n = 86) without change in their lipid lowering therapy, the mean HDL-C serum level increased significantly by 5.8% from 46.9+/-15.8 to 49.6+/-15.3 mg x dL(-1) (mean+/-SD). An independent relationship was found between the change of apnoea-hypopnoea index and the change of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or triglycerides, respectively. All patients with abnormal serum lipid/lipoprotein levels improved significantly under bilevel or continuous positive airway pressure therapy. This study demonstrates an influence of obstructive sleep apnoea and its therapy on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.