Obstructive sleep apnea: its prevention and screening may contribute to the prevention of hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases

Relationships between obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular diseases have been reported by both clinical and epidemiological studies. To investigate whether nocturnal intermittent hypoxia (NIH), a surrogate marker for obstructive sleep apnea in the general population, is associated with cardiovascular risk factors, we have conducted epidemiological studies in Japan. The Circulatory Risk in Communities Study (CIRCS) is a cohort study conducted across Japan to examine the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. In CIRCS participants, NIH was estimated by the hourly occurrences of oxygen desaturation ≥3% (3% oxygen desaturation index [3% ODI]) measured during sleep using a pulse-oximeter. Our studies showed that among middle-aged Japanese, 3% ODI levels were associated with hypertension, elevated serum CRP levels, accumulation of metabolic risk factors, and increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Screening for obstructive sleep apnea in the general population is a promising and widely broadly applicable strategy for predictive, preventive and personalized medicine.