Rationale We hypothesized increasing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity would be associated with nondipping blood pressure (BP) in increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Methods Baseline data from 298 cardiology patients recruited for a multicenter randomized controlled trial were examined. Dipping was defined as a sleep-related BP or heart rate (HR) reduction of at least 10%. Logistic regression models were fit, adjusting for age, sex, race, BMI, CVD risk factors, CVD, and study site. Results There was a statistically significant 4% increase in the odds of nondipping SBP per 1-unit increase in both Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) and Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI). There was no significant relationship between AHI and nondipping mean arterial pressure (MAP); however, a 3% increase in the odds of nondipping MAP per 1-unit increase in ODI was observed (odds ratio, OR =1.03; 95% confidence interval, CI 1.00–1.05). At severe OSA levels, a 10 and 4% increase in odds of nondipping DBP per 1-unit increase in AHI and ODI were observed, respectively. A 6% [OR =1.06; 95% CI (1.01–1.10)] increase in nondipping HR odds was observed with each increase in ODI until the upper quartile of ODI. Conclusion In patients at cardiovascular risk and moderate-to-severe OSA, increasing AHI and/or ODI were associated with increased odds of nondipping SBP and nondipping MAP. More severe levels of AHI and ODI also were associated with nondipping DBP. These results support progressive BP burden associated with increased OSA severity even in patients managed by cardiology specialty care.

Summary The objective of the study is to examine whether increasing OSA severity is associated with worsening endothelial function. The design is a cross-sectional examination of the baseline assessment of a multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial examining the effects of oxygen, CPAP therapy, or lifestyle modifications on cardiovascular biomarkers. Participants were recruited from cardiology clinics at four sites. Participants with an Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) of 15 to 50 and known cardio/cerebrovascular disease (CVD) or CVD risk factors were included. OSA severity indices (oxygen desaturation index [ODI], AHI, and percent sleep time below 90% oxygen saturation [TST<90]) and a measure of endothelium mediated vasodilatation (Framingham Reactive Hyperemia Index, F-RHI derived from peripheral arterial tonometry, PAT) were assessed. The sample included 267 individuals with a mean AHI of 25.0 ± 8.5 (SD) and mean F-RHI 0.44 ± 0.38. In adjusted models, the slope of the relationship between ODI and F-RHI differed above and below an ODI of 24.6 (p=0.04), such that above an ODI of 24.6 there was a marginally significant decline in the geometric mean of the PAT ratio by 3% (95% CI: (0%, 5%); p=0.05) while below this point, there was a marginally significant incline in the geometric mean of the PAT ratio by 13% (95% CI: (0%, 27%); p=0.05) per 5-unit increase in ODI. A similar pattern was observed between AHI and F-RHI. No relation was noted with TST<90 and F-RHI. There was evidence of a graded decline in endothelial function in association withn higher levels of intermittent hypoxemia.

In Lebanon, weight reduction could be re-enforced by socio-economical factors and not necessarily be an adolescent risk behavior.

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