Abstract
Objectives: A new proposed marker of hypoxia, Hepcidin, may identify at-risk patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Periodic limb movement (PLM) in sleep is characterized by periodic episodes of repetitive and stereotypic limb movements during sleep.
Aim: This study was aimed to assess potential correlations between PLM index, hepcidin levels and iron status in patients with OSAS.
Methods: Forty-four newly diagnosed OSAS patients and 49 nonapneic controls were enrolled in this study. Demographic data, cigarette smoking status, previous history of other diseases and drugs were obtained by a standardized questionnaire. All patients underwent polysomnographic evaluation. The hepcidin, iron, ferritin,TIBC, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured.
Results: The mean age was 47.4±7.2 (18–68) years in the OSAS group and 44.9±11.1 (23–65) years in the control group. There were no differences in age, gender and smoking between OSAS patients and controls. Mean apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) was 25.1 events/h. Mean serum hepcidin levels were significantly higher in OSAS subjects (725.9 ng/ml) than in control subjects (646.0 ng/ml) (P <0.001). Serum iron levels were significantly lower in the OSAS and PLM disorders groups than in control subjects (P <0.001).
Serum hepcidin levels were significantly correlated with AHI (r = 0.453), and PLMI (r = 0.114). Serum iron levels were significantly negatively correlated with AHI (r =-0.169) and PLMI (r =-0.032).
Conclusion
In our study, the level of hepcidin was increased in patients with OSAS. We suggest that levels of hepcidin correlate with the AHI and PLM index severity of OSAS.
- © 2014 ERS
