Circulating ADAMTS13 Levels Are Associated with an Increased Occurrence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is strongly associated with obesity, metabolic diseases, coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke, hypertension, and other disorders. This study assessed the relationship between circulating a disintegrin and metalloprotease with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13 (ADAMTS13) levels and the presence of OSA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included a total of 223 patients. We used a powerful high-throughput multiplexed immunobead-based assay to detect circulating levels of ADAMTS13. The associations between circulating ADAMTS13 levels and OSA were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Circulating ADAMTS13 levels were significantly elevated in patients with OSA compared with controls (0.8 vs. 2.7 μg/mL, respectively, P < 0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, circulating ADAMTS13 levels were significantly independently associated with the presence of OSA (odds ratio = 9.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) =4.11–24.13, P < 0.001). Furthermore, circulating ADAMTS13 levels showed discriminatory accuracy in assessing the presence of OSA (area under the curve: 0.87, 95% CI 0.81–0.93, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Circulating ADAMTS13 levels were significantly correlated with the presence of OSA. ADAMTS13 may therefore function as a novel biomarker for monitoring the development and progression of OSA.