C-reactive protein and sleep-disordered breathing.
OBJECTIVE
Over a 2-month period, to evaluate serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in new patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS), and absence of important comorbidity, as well as in normal controls.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analysis.


METHODS
Sleep disorders clinic.


METHODS
239 successively monitored subjects: 156 subjects were diagnosed with OSAS, 39 with UARS, and 54 controls.


METHODS
none.


RESULTS
Clinical information (neurologic, general medical, and otolaryngology examination), body mass index, neck circumference, hip-waist ratio, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, 3 fatigue scales, Sleep Disorders Questionnaire, serum CRP, and polysomnography were collected. Analysis of variance indicated a significant difference between the groups for diastolic blood pressure, respiratory disturbance index, lowest SaO2, and body mass index. The mean serum CRP level was normal in all 3 groups. Only 15 (14 OSAS and 1 UARS) out of 239 subjects had high serum CRP values. CRP levels were significantly correlated with body mass index, esophageal pressures, hip-waist ratio, neck circumference, and blood pressure. Only body mass index was significantly associated with high CRP values; multiple regression showed: adjusted R2 = 0.115, beta = 0.345, P <.001. When men and women were considered separately, body mass index was again significantly associated with high CRP levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Obesity is a risk factor for high serum CRP levels in patients with sleep-disordered breathing, as in the general population.
Guilleminault
Christian
C
Sleep Disorders Clinic, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. cguil@stanford.edu
Kirisoglu
Ceyda
C
Ohayon
Maurice M
MM
D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005221:Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D017286:Polysomnography; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D010100:Oxygen