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Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Acupoint Application Combined with Ear Plaster Therapy for Treating Sleep Disorders with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
04:53

Acupoint Application Combined with Ear Plaster Therapy for Treating Sleep Disorders with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Published on: October 18, 2024

Hypoxemia and obesity modulate plasma C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels in sleep-disordered breathing

Riva Tauman1, Louise M O'Brien, David Gozal

  • 1Kosair Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.

Sleep & Breathing = Schlaf & Atmung
|December 16, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) show increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), indicating inflammation. These inflammatory markers rise with SDB severity, independent of obesity.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Cardiovascular Inflammation
  • Biomarkers of Disease

Background:

  • C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are key pro-inflammatory markers linked to atherosclerosis.
  • Elevated CRP is observed in obese children, a population with high snoring prevalence.
  • The independent contributions of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and obesity to inflammation in snoring children require elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the independent roles of SDB and obesity in driving inflammatory processes in snoring children.
  • To assess the relationship between SDB severity and levels of CRP and IL-6.
  • To determine if obesity modifies the association between SDB and inflammation.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study involving 244 children (mean age 8.9 years) undergoing polysomnography.
  • Measurement of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels.
  • Correlation analysis of inflammatory markers with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), BMI, and oxygen saturation (SpO2).

Main Results:

  • Children with SDB exhibited elevated plasma CRP and IL-6 levels compared to controls.
  • A significant severity-dependent increase in CRP was observed with increasing AHI.
  • CRP and IL-6 levels correlated with SDB severity (AHI) and nocturnal oxygen desaturation, independent of obesity.

Conclusions:

  • Sleep-disordered breathing in children is associated with significant, severity-dependent increases in pro-inflammatory markers CRP and IL-6.
  • These inflammatory changes occur independently of obesity, highlighting SDB as a critical factor.
  • Findings underscore the importance of addressing SDB to mitigate cardiovascular risk in children.

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