Change in C-reactive Protein (CRP) in Men and Women With Sleep Apnea After Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

OSA is an independent risk factor for a number of cardiovascular diseases. One important possible mechanism underlying cardiovascular disease in patients with OSA is systemic inflammation. CRP, an acute phase reactant secreted by the liver, is one of the most actively studied biomarkers of low-grade inflammation, and numerous studies have shown that higher CRP levels are associated with high mortality and morbidity due to cardiovascular disease in men and women. In patients with OSA, the question as to whether or not CRP levels are elevated is still under debate. Although continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is effective in the management of OSA, conflicting data also exist regarding the effects of CPAP on CRP levels. However, none of the existing studies assessed the influence of gender on the CRP evolution pattern. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate possible gender differences in CRP evolution in patients with moderate to severe OSA, free of medical comorbidities, 3 and 6 months after the start of effective CPAP treatment.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with apnoea-hypopnoea index >15/h

Exclusion criteria

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• diabetes mellitus
• coronary artery disease
• congestive heart failure
• chronic renal failure
• known dyslipidemia
• smoking history
• hypothyroidism
• chronic or recent infectious or inflammatory disease
• use of anti-inflammatory or antibiotic drugs, or statins.
• postmenopausal females on estrogen replacement therapy.