Abstract
Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common problem that affects human health. Researches have reported a variety of results with reference to the association between OSA and serum homocysteine (Hcy) level. This meta-analysis is proposed to figure out the association between serum Hcy level and OSA. Methods Eligible studies were identified via searching PubMed, Embase, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Two independent reviewers reviewed studies. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS) was employed for quality assessment of included studies. RevMan (5.1) software and STATA (12.0) software were applied to data analyses. Results 10 studies containing 839 subjects were included in the present meta-analysis; results revealed that Hcy levels in OSA group were 2.40 μmol/l higher than that in control group (95% confidence interval: 0.6 to 4.20, P < 0.01; I2 = 96%). Subgroup analysis showed a significant increase of serum Hcy level in OSA patients compared with healthy controls when apnea hyperpnoea index (AHI) >= 30. Conclusions Serum Hcy levels and OSA have close-knit and significant association. Analyses demonstrated that patients with OSA had a higher serum Hcy level than healthy controls. In addition, this difference is more significant in moderate or severe OSA patients.
Highlights
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common problem affecting 2–4% of the world’s population
Our results showed that serum Hcy level in OSA group was 2.40 μmol/l higher than that in control group (Figure 2)
Our meta-analysis indicated that increased serum Hcy levels were observed in OSA patients without any complication compared with control people (WMD: 2.40, 95% CI: 0.60 to 4.20, P < 0.01), in those patients with severe degree OSA (WMD: 6.03, 95% CI: 3.97 to 8.08, P < 0.01)
Summary
Researches have reported a variety of results with reference to the association between OSA and serum homocysteine (Hcy) level. 10 studies containing 839 subjects were included in the present meta-analysis; results revealed that Hcy levels in OSA group were 2.40 μmol/l higher than that in control group (95% confidence interval: 0.6 to 4.20, P < 0.01; I2 = 96%). Subgroup analysis showed a significant increase of serum Hcy level in OSA patients compared with healthy controls when apnea hyperpnoea index (AHI) >= 30. Analyses demonstrated that patients with OSA had a higher serum Hcy level than healthy controls. This difference is more significant in moderate or severe OSA patients
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