Serum testosterone/cortisol ratio in people with obstructive sleep apnea

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Sleep Medicine
• Physiology

Background:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent condition associated with endocrine disruptions.
• The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is implicated in OSA pathophysiology.
• Understanding hormonal changes in OSA is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate serum cortisol and testosterone levels in patients with varying degrees of OSA.
• To compare the testosterone/cortisol ratio in OSA patients versus normal sleepers.
• To explore the relationship between OSA severity and HPA axis activity.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-nine OSA patients were stratified into mild, moderate, and severe groups based on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI).
• Thirteen normal sleepers served as the control group.
• Serum cortisol, testosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were quantified using ELISA.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in total or free testosterone levels were found across groups.
• Severe OSA patients demonstrated significantly elevated cortisol levels compared to controls and other OSA subtypes.
• A lower testosterone/cortisol ratio was observed in severe OSA patients compared to moderate OSA patients.

Conclusions:

• Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with HPA axis activation, particularly in severe cases.
• Endocrine dysfunction related to the HPA axis is evident in severe OSA.
• Mild and moderate OSA subtypes did not show significant HPA axis alterations in this study.