Risk factors and fraction of exhaled nitric oxide in obstructive sleep apnea in adults

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (F(ENO)), and to assess the effect of risk factors of airway inflammation on OSA. METHODS: Medical records of patients in the Respiratory Sleep Center at Chao-Yang Hospital in Beijing between January 2015 and June 2017 were analyzed. All patients were diagnosed with OSA. Data of the medical history, clinical examinations, F(ENO), and upper airway computed tomographic findings were collected. Logistic regression was used to evaluate risk factors of OSA. RESULTS: A total of 181 patients were admitted to the Respiratory Sleep Center during the study and 170 had a diagnosis of OSA and were included in the study. Single factor analysis showed that male sex, age, body mass index, smoking index, alcohol consumption, F(ENO), soft palate thickness, soft palate length, the narrowest transverse diameter of the upper airway, tonsil size, and nasal sinusitis were risk factors for sleep-disordered breathing and disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: Male sex, age, body mass index, F(ENO), the narrowest transverse diameter of the upper airway, and normal tonsil size are associated with OSA and disease severity. The severity of OSA is associated with F(ENO) levels.