[Obstructive sleep apnoea and metabolic syndrome]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions including obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia, significantly elevates cardiovascular risk.
• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) frequently co-occurs with metabolic syndrome, with obesity being a primary risk factor for OSA and OSA a leading cause of secondary hypertension.
• While obesity confounds the direct link, epidemiological evidence suggests an independent association between OSA and insulin resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and metabolic syndrome.
• To discuss the impact of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on OSA-related metabolic disturbances.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of epidemiological and clinical data.
• Analysis of existing research on CPAP therapy in OSA patients with metabolic syndrome.

Main Results:

• High prevalence of metabolic syndrome in OSA patients.
• OSA is a significant cause of secondary hypertension.
• CPAP therapy is effective in managing OSA-associated hypertension.
• The effects of CPAP on insulin resistance and dyslipidemia require further investigation through large randomized trials.

Conclusions:

• Obstructive sleep apnea is strongly linked to metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk.
• While CPAP effectively treats OSA-related hypertension, its broader metabolic benefits warrant further large-scale randomized trials.