Is there an association between altered baroreceptor sensitivity and obstructive sleep apnoea in the healthy elderly?

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is associated with a rise in cardiovascular risk in which increased sympathetic activity and depressed baroreceptor reflex sensitivity (BRS) have been proposed. We examined this association in a sample of healthy elderly subjects with unrecognised OSA. 801 healthy elderly (aged ≥65 years) subjects undergoing clinical, respiratory polygraphy and vascular assessment were examined. According to the apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI), the subjects were stratified into no OSA, mild–moderate OSA and severe OSA cases. OSA was present in 62% of the sample, 62% being mild–moderate and 38% severe. No differences were found for BRS value according to sex and OSA severity. 54% of the group had normal BRS value, 36% mild impairment and 10% severe dysfunction. BRS was negatively associated with body mass index (p=0.006), 24-h systolic (p=0.001) and diastolic pressure (p=0.001), and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) (p=0.03). Regression analyses revealed that subjects with lower BRS were those with hypertension (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.24–0.81; p=0.002) and overweight (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.25–0.81; p=0.008), without the effect of AHI and ODI. In the healthy elderly, the presence of a severe BRS dysfunction affects a small amount of severe cases without effect on snorers and mild OSA. Hypertension and obesity seem to play a great role in BRS impairment.