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Correlation between obstructive sleep apnea and pituitary function in pituitary adenomas patients
Zitong Wang1, Qi Li2, Junjie Zhao1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China; Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Otorhinolaryngology, Xi'an, China.
Respiratory Medicine
|January 22, 2026
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is more severe in patients with functional pituitary adenomas (PA). Free triiodothyronine (FT3) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) predict OSA severity in PA patients.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Sleep Medicine
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Pituitary adenomas (PA) are common tumors affecting pituitary function.
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep disorder with significant health implications.
- The relationship between PA and OSA, particularly the influence of pituitary hormones on OSA severity, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the correlation between pituitary function and OSA in PA patients.
- To investigate the effect of hormone levels on OSA severity in this population.
- To identify potential biomarkers for early OSA diagnosis in PA patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of clinical data from 82 PA patients (aged 18-70).
- Patients were categorized into functional and non-functional PA groups.
- Polysomnography (PSG) parameters and pituitary hormone levels were assessed.
Main Results:
- Functional PA patients exhibited higher apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), longer apnea duration, and lower oxygen saturation.
- Elevated levels of free triiodothyronine (FT3) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were observed in the OSA group.
- FT3 and IGF-1 positively correlated with AHI and mediated the association between PA and OSA severity.
Conclusions:
- Functional PA is associated with more severe OSA compared to non-functional PA.
- FT3 and IGF-1 are reliable predictors of AHI in PA patients.
- These hormones may serve as early indicators for OSA in PA patients, warranting further prospective studies.
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