Correlation of ambulatory blood pressure with the severity of patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome combined with hypertension

Objective To investigate the relationship between the severity of hypertension combined with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and ambulatory blood pressure. Methods A total of 120 patients with hypertension were divided into 4 groups according to the apnea hypopnea index (AHI): 37 cases in simple hypertension group, 33 cases in mild OSAHS group, 24 cases in moderate OSAHS group and 26 cases in severe OSAHS group. The AHI index and ambulatory blood pressure of each group were compared and analyzed; and the correlation between AHI index and ambulatory blood pressure was analyzed. Results The age of the patients in severe OSAHS group was significantly bigger than that in simple hypertension group and mild OSAHS group (P<0.05). The body mass index (BMI), neck circumference, waist circumference, duration of hypertension and AHI of patients in mild, moderate and severe OSAHS group were significantly higher than those in simple hypertension group (P<0.05). The AHI of patients in moderate OSAHS group was significantly higher than that in mild OSAHS group (P<0.05). The waist circumference, course of hypertension and AHI of the patients in severe OSAHS group were significantly higher than those in mild and moderate OSAHS groups (P<0.05). The levels of 24 h systolic blood pressure (SBP), 24 h diastolic blood pressure (DBP), daytime systolic blood pressure (dSBP), daytime diastolic blood pressure (dDBP), nighttime systolic blood pressure (nSBP) and nighttime diastolic blood pressure (nDBP) in moderate and severe OSAHS group were significantly higher than those of the simple hypertension group and mild OSAHS group (P<0.05). The AHI index was positively correlated with 24 h SBP, 24 h DBP, dSBP, dDBP, nSBP and nDBP (P<0.05). Conclusions The severity of hypertensive patients compliacted by OSAHS is closely related to the ambulatory blood pressure and they were mutual influenced. Correcting OSAHS, controlling blood pressure, improving blood pressure circadian rhythm can conduce to relieve symptoms and improve the prognosis of patients. Key words: Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome; Hypertension; Ambulatory blood pressure; Correlation