title: Inflammatory markers in middle-aged obese subjects: does obstructive sleep apnea syndrome play a role?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is associated with inflammation, but obesity may be a confounding factor. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore differences in serum levels of inflammation markers between obese individuals with or without OSAS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Healthy individuals (n = 61) from an outpatient obesity clinic were examined by polysomnography and blood analysis, for measurement of TNF-alpha, IL-6, CRP, and fibrinogen levels. According to Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), participants were divided into two BMI-matched groups: controls (AHI < 15/h, n = 23) and OSAS patients (AHI > or = 15/h, n = 38).
  
  
  RESULTS
  OSAS patients had significantly higher TNF-alpha levels (P < .001) while no other difference in the examined inflammation markers was recorded between groups. Overall, TNF-alpha levels were correlated with neck circumference (P < .001), AHI (P = .002), and Oxygen Desaturation Index (P = .002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Obese OSAS patients have elevated TNF-alpha levels compared to BMI-matched controls, suggesting a role of OSAS in promoting inflammation, possibly mediated by TNF-a.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pneumonology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece. pstirop@med.duth.gr
authors.forename: Paschalis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Steiropoulos
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Papanas
authors.forename: Evangelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nena
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Antoniadou
authors.forename: Evangelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Serasli
authors.forename: Sophia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Papoti
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hatzizisi
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kyriazis
authors.forename: Argyris
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tzouvelekis
authors.forename: Efstratios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maltezos
authors.forename: Venetia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tsara
authors.forename: Demosthenes
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bouros
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D017286:Polysomnography; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein