Abstract
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSA) is associated with an increased Galectin-3 level. Although continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been accepted as one of the most effective treatments for OSA, its impact on some biomarkers remains unclear.
The aim was to evaluate the effect CPAP therapy on serum Galectin-3 level in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome without any cardiovascular comorbidities at 3 months after treatment.
Methods. Prospective study. We enrolled 57 patients with severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index (AHI)=30/h) without any cardiovascular comorbidities. Two groups were formed: the first group was treated with CPAP for 3 months (=4 hours per night) (36 patients) and the second (21 patients)-without CPAP treatment (patients without CPAP prescription or adherence). The Galectin-3 levels were measured at 3 months and compared between groups.
Results. There were no statistically significant differences between the control and the CPAP group in age (39,4±6,1 vs. 36,1±8,3), gender (26 (72,2%) vs. 16 (76,1%) male), body mass index (BMI (34,2±6,7 vs. 36,1±5,7), AHI (39,1±13,3/h vs. 38,7±11,8/h) and Galectin-3 (1,22±0,82 ng/ml vs. 1,45±0,91 ng/ml). No significant difference was showed in Galectin-3 at 3 months in CPAP and control groups (p=0,872). Regression analysis showed that BMI (OR [95%CI]=1,392 [1,205; 1,534], p=0,001) and age (OR [95%CI]=2,062 [1,188; 3,612], p=0,001) were significant factors related to Galectin-3.
Conclusions. There was no statistically significant difference in Galectin-3 level in OSA patients with and without CPAP therapy at 3 months.