Serum homocysteine levels and cardiovascular morbidity in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Elevated levels of serum homocysteine are also associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We aimed to investigate serum homocysteine levels and conventional cardiovascular risk factors (cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides) in OSAS patients with and without cardiovascular diseases (CVD). METHODS AND RESULTS: Levels of homocysteine, cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides were measured in 114 obese, male participants after overnight fasting. The presence of OSAS was determined by standard overnight polysomnography. The cases included OSAS patients (apnea-hypopnea index: AHI5) with CVD (OSAS+CVD group) (n:25) and without CVD (OSAS-CVD group) (n:47). Control group was patients without OSAS (AHI<5) with CVD (CVD group) (n:42). The serum homocysteine levels were significant.