Introduction
Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is one of the potential risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. However, few studies have indicated the association of SDB and carotid-artery atherosclerosis. In this study, we examined the relationship between nocturnal intermittent hypoxia, a surrogate marker of sleep disordered breathing, and Carotid-artery intima-media thickness (IMT), an early
... [Show full abstract] finding of atherosclerosis, in middle-aged and elderly Japanese population.
Methods
The participants were 690 men and 1249 women aged 30–79 years in the Toon Health Study between 2009 and 2012. Nocturnal intermittent hypoxia was assessed by 3% oxygen desaturation index (ODI) during one-night using pulse-oxymetry. Subjects were divided into 3 categories according to the levels of 3% ODI: low (<5 times/hour), moderate (5–15 times/hour), and high (>=15 times/hour). Carotid-artery intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured by using ultrasonography. Carotid-artery atherosclerosis was diagnosed according to the IMT of >=1.1. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between 3%ODI and atherosclerosis after adjusting for potential confounding factors.
Results
Higher 3% ODI was significantly associated with having atherosclerosis in men, but not significant in women. Compared to low 3% ODI, the multivariable adjusted odds ratios (95% CIs) were 1.41 (0.86–2.30) in moderate, and 1.85 (1.01–3.39) in high among men. The multivariable adjusted odds ratios of having atherosclerosis associated with the level of 3%ODI were more evident among BMI of >=25.
Conclusion
Our results indicated that the severity of nocturnal intermittent hypoxia is independently associated with atherosclerosis in middle-aged and elderly Japanese men.
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