Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty decreases levels of C-reactive protein in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
BACKGROUND
C-reactive protein is a crucial risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Previous studies demonstrated that in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), levels of this protein elevate dependently on the degree of upper airway obstruction. However, it has not been determined whether the surgery for OSAS reduces the levels of C-reactive protein by restoring the airway opening. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) on levels of serum C-reactive protein in patients with this syndrome.


METHODS
Fifteen adult patients with mild to severe OSAS were enrolled in this study. Levels of serum C-reactive protein and sleep parameters including apnea-hypopnea index a month before and 3 months after UPPP were evaluated using peripheral venous blood and polysomnography, respectively.


RESULTS
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty significantly restored sleep parameters, accompanying with decreased levels of C-reactive protein (from 0.21 +/- 0.17 to 0.10 +/- 0.16 mg/dL, P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with OSAS, UPPP appears to decrease levels of serum C-reactive protein. Surgical therapy may reduce inflammatory response in these patients.
Kinoshita
Hiroyuki
H
Department of Anesthesiology, Japanese Red Cross Society Wakayama Medical Center, 4-20 Komatsubara-dori, Wakayama, Wakayama 640-8269, Japan. hkinoshi@pd5.so-net.ne.jp
Shibano
Akira
A
Sakoda
Takema
T
Ikeda
Hiroki
H
Iranami
Hiroshi
H
Hatano
Yoshio
Y
Enomoto
Tadao
T
D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures; D010159:Palate / Q000601:surgery*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014609:Uvula / Q000601:surgery*
D002097:C-Reactive Protein