Effect Of Metabolically Healthy Obesity In Male Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Background: Obesity without metabolic syndrome is known as metabolically healthy obesity (MHO). The influence of MHO on apnea severity and sleep parameters in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) remains unknown. To determine whether MHO affect the apnea severity and sleep parameters, such as apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and arousal index, in OSA patients with non-obesity, MHO, and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUHO). Methods: A total of 266 men with OSA, aged between 20 and 65 years, were enrolled in this single-center, retrospective study. After excluding patients on hypnotics, antidepressants, or anticonvulsants, a total of 180 patients were included. The clinical data, AHI, and arousal index were examined in OSA patients with non-obesity, MHO, and MUHO. Results: The arousal index showed a significant difference in patients with MHO compared to those with MUHO (MHO vs MUHO: 28.6 ± 15.5 vs. 40.2 ± 21.1, respectively, p<0.01). There was no significant difference in the arousal index in OSA patients between the non-obese and MHO groups. AHI indicated a significant increase in patients with MHO compared to non-obesity (non-obesity vs MHO: 22.5 ± 13.7 vs. 38.4 ± 22.8, respectively, p<0.01). Conclusions: In OSA patients with MHO and MUHO, there were no significant differences in apnea severity, but the arousal index in OSA patients with MHO was lower than MUHO. The results demonstrate that the arousals during sleep may be due to the simple correlation with apnea appearance and metabolically unknown factors.