Sleep Apnea is Associated With Accelerated Vascular Aging: Results From 2 European Community-Based Cohort Studies

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Science
• Sleep Medicine
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to cardiovascular disease, potentially through accelerated vascular aging.
• Understanding the extent of vascular aging in relation to OSA risk is crucial for cardiovascular health.
• Previous research suggests a connection, but direct comparisons of vascular aging in high-risk OSA individuals are needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the magnitude of vascular aging in patients with high versus low risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
• To investigate the association between OSA risk and specific markers of carotid artery aging.
• To provide evidence supporting vascular aging as a mechanism linking OSA and cardiovascular disease.

Main Methods:

• Utilized pooled data from two community-based studies (Paris Prospective Study 3 and the Maastricht Study) comprising 8615 participants.
• Assessed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk using the Berlin questionnaire.
• Evaluated carotid artery properties including intima-media thickness, Young's elastic modulus, pulse wave velocity, and diameter via high-precision ultrasound echography.

Main Results:

• A high risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was associated with significantly greater carotid intima-media thickness, Young's elastic modulus, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, carotid pulse wave velocity, and carotid diameter.
• These associations remained consistent after adjusting for multiple cardiovascular risk factors including age, sex, cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and BMI.
• The findings were robust across different adjustment models, reinforcing the link between OSA risk and vascular aging markers.

Conclusions:

• Individuals with a high risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) exhibit evidence of accelerated vascular aging.
• Accelerated vascular aging may be a key mechanism contributing to the increased cardiovascular disease risk observed in OSA patients.
• These findings underscore the importance of identifying and managing OSA to mitigate cardiovascular complications.