title: Obstructive sleep apnea and bone mineral density in obese patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity and its co-morbidities may adversely affect bone mineral density (BMD). Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a major complication of obesity. To date, the effects of OSA on BMD in obese patients have been poorly studied.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine whether the severity of OSA independently correlates with BMD in obese patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and fifteen obese subjects with OSA (Apnea/Hypopnea Index [AHI] ≥5 events per hour) were included in the study. BMD was measured at lumbar spine, total hip, and femoral neck by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Body mass index, lean mass, and representative measures of metabolic syndrome (waist circumference, fasting plasma glucose, blood pressure, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides) and inflammation (ESR, CRP, fibrinogen) were also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BMD did not differ among obese individuals regardless of OSA severity. Correlation coefficient analysis for all the covariates showed a lack of association between AHI and BMD that was strongly influenced by age and weight.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study does not support an independent association between AHI and BMD in obese patients. Controlled studies involving a greater number of patients are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Medical Physiopathology and Endocrinology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mariani
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fiore
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Varone
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Basciani
authors.forename: Agnese
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Persichetti
authors.forename: Mikiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saponara
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Spera
authors.forename: Costanzo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moretti
authors.forename: Lucio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gnessi