Study on plasma homocysteine and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome with cardiovascular diseases

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the roles of plasma homocysteine ( HCY) in physiopathologic process of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Methods Following polysomnographic examination, 94 habitual snorers were divided into 3 groups: 15 simple snorers,42 simple OSAHS and 37 OSAHS with CVD. Plasma concentrations of HCY and Lipid were measured. 30 OSAHS patients and 24 OSAHS with CVD patients accepted nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) therapy for 3 month, then polysomnography and HCY were measured again. Results ①HCY concentrations gradually increase among simply snorers,OSAHS group and OSAHS+CVD group,and the differences were significant. The concentrations of TC,TG and VLDL also were different in 3 groups,but no entirely significant difference among groups.②Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that AHI and RIT were independently associated with serum homocysteine levels (the rseparately is 0.899,0.835). ③After nCPAP therapy, sleep disorder improved in OSAHS and OSAHS + CVD groups, and HCY concentrations decrease significantly. Conclusions Patients with OSAHS had higher plasma HCY levels than simply snorers.Homocysteine may contribute to physiopathologic process of cardiovascular diseases in OSAHS patients. Effective nCPAP therapy can decrease HCY concentrations both in OSAHS and OSAHS+CVD groups. Key words: Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome;  Cardiovascular disease;  Plasma homocysteine;  Lipid;  Continuous positive airway pressure