Sleep apnea is associated with cardiovascular risk factors among kidney transplant patients.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and its clinical correlates in a large sample of patients who received a kidney transplant (Tx). We also compared the prevalence of the disorder between dialysis patients who were on the waiting list for a Tx (WL) and Tx patients.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study of 100 Tx and 50 WL patients who underwent one-night polysomnography (SLeep disorders Evaluation in Patients after kidney Transplantation [SLEPT] Study). Sociodemographic information and data about medication, comorbidity, and laboratory parameters were collected.


RESULTS
The prevalence of mild (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] > or =5/h and <15/h), moderate (AHI > or =15/h and <30/h), and severe OSA (AHI > or =30/h) was 18, 11, and 14% in the Tx group and 28, 16, and 10% in the WL group, respectively. The AHI was significantly correlated with age (rho = 0.34), body mass index (rho = 0.45), neck circumference (rho = 0.4), abdominal circumference (rho = 0.51), and hemoglobin (rho = 0.24) in the Tx group. The proportion of Tx patients who were treated with three or more antihypertensive drugs was significantly higher in the OSA group (56 versus 31%; P = 0.022). Despite taking significantly more antihypertensive drugs, the average systolic BP was still higher in patients with versus without OSA (147 +/- 21 versus 139 +/- 18 mmHg; P = 0.059).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of OSA is similar in Tx and WL patients and it may contribute to presence of hypertension in patients who receive a Tx.
Molnar
Miklos Zsolt
MZ
Semmelweis University, Department of Transplantation and Surgery, Baross utca 23-25, H-1082, Budapest, Hungary. molnar@medformol.hu
Lazar
Alpar Sandor
AS
Lindner
Anett
A
Fornadi
Katalin
K
Czira
Maria Eszter
ME
Dunai
Andrea
A
Zoller
Rezso
R
Szentkiralyi
Andras
A
Rosivall
Laszlo
L
Shapiro
Colin Michael
CM
Novak
Marta
M
Mucsi
Istvan
I
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014850:Waiting Lists