title: Obstructive sleep apnea as a risk factor for silent cerebral infarction.
abstract: Previous studies have suggested that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may be a risk factor for stroke. In this study, we assessed that OSA is an independent risk factor of silent cerebral infarction (SCI) in the general population, and in a non-obese population. This study recruited a total of 746 participants (252 men and 494 women) aged 50-79 years as part of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES); they underwent polysomnography, brain magnetic resonance imaging and health screening examinations. SCI was assessed by subtypes and brain regions, and lacunar infarction represented lesions <15 mm in size in the penetrating arteries. Moderate-severe OSA was determined by apnea-hypopnea index ≥15. The results indicated that 12.06% had moderate-severe OSA, 7.64% of participants had SCI and 4.96% had lacunar infarction. Moderate-severe OSA was associated positively with SCI [odds ratio (OR): 2.44, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03-5.80] and lacunar infarction (OR: 3.48, 95% CI: 1.31-9.23) in the age ≥65-year group compared with those with non-OSA. Additionally, in the basal ganglia, OSA was associated with an increase in the odds for SCI and lacunar infarction in all age groups, and especially in the ≥65-year age group. In the non-obese participants, OSA was also associated positively with SCI in the ≥65-year age group, lacunar infarction in all age groups, and especially in the ≥65-year age group. There was also a positive association with the basal ganglia. Moderate-severe OSA was associated positively with SCI and lacunar infarction in elderly participants. Treatment of OSA may reduce new first-time cerebrovascular events and recurrences.
authors: Institute of Human Genomic Study, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Eo Rin
authors: ER
authors: Cho
authors: Hyun
authors: H
authors: Kim
authors: Hyung Suk
authors: HS
authors: Seo
authors: Sooyeon
authors: S
authors: Suh
authors: Seung Ku
authors: SK
authors: Lee
authors: Chol
authors: C
authors: Shin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D017286:Polysomnography / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D059409:Stroke, Lacunar / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology
keywords: basal ganglia; lacunar infarction; obstructive sleep apnea; risk factors; silent cerebral infarction; stroke