Obstructive sleep apnea had a positive but non-significant association with coronary plaque presence after adjusting for age and diabetes (adjusted OR 2.47; 95% CI 0.67-9.09).
Cross-Sectional (n=83)
No
Is obstructive sleep apnea associated with an increased presence of coronary plaque on CT coronary angiography in adults without known CAD?
In a small cross-sectional study, the crude association between OSA and coronary plaque was attenuated and became non-significant after adjusting for age and diabetes.
Effect estimate: adjusted OR 2.47 (95% CI 0.67-9.09)
Abstract Rationale Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a prevalent yet underdiagnosed disorder linked to increased cardiovascular morbidity, especially coronary artery disease (CAD). Recurrent nocturnal hypoxia in OSA contributes to oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, vascular dysfunction and hypertension. While OSA’s association with subclinical atherosclerosis is established, limited data exists on its relationship with coronary plaque burden in the Indian population. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary health centre in India. Adults were screened using the Modified Berlin Questionnaire. Participants with negative screening formed the control group, while those screening positive underwent overnight polysomnography for confirmation of OSA and were included as cases. All eligible participants underwent CT Coronary Angiography to assess the presence of coronary plaque. Individuals with known CAD, prior revascularization, significant comorbidities, or risk factors such as smoking were excluded. Results A total of n = 83 participants were included, of whom 46 (55%) had obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The overall prevalence of coronary plaque was 21.6%. On univariate analysis, the presence of OSA was associated with higher odds of plaque formation (OR = 3.61; 95% CI 1.07–12.14). After adjustment for potential confounders, including age and diabetes mellitus, the association attenuated (adjusted OR = 2.47; 95% CI 0.67–9.09). Age (adjusted OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.19–4.69; p = 0.014) and diabetes (adjusted OR = 3.70; 95% CI 1.09–12.55; p = 0.036) emerged as independent predictors of coronary plaque, whereas BMI and hypertension were not significantly associated. Conclusion Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) showed a higher crude prevalence of coronary plaque, partly explained by age and diabetes. After adjustment, OSA retained a positive but non-significant association with plaque, suggesting its pro-atherogenic effects may be mediated through metabolic comorbidities. Age and diabetes emerged as independent predictors of plaque formation. These findings underscore the need for cardiovascular screening in OSA patients and support the hypothesis that OSA contributes to subclinical atherosclerosis via metabolic and inflammatory pathways. Larger prospective studies are required to clarify the causal role of OSA and its potential as a target for cardiovascular prevention. This abstract is funded by: None
Anand et al. (Fri,) conducted a cross-sectional in Obstructive Sleep Apnea (n=83). Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) vs. No OSA (Negative screening) was evaluated on Presence of coronary plaque on CT Coronary Angiography (adjusted OR 2.47, 95% CI 0.67-9.09). Obstructive sleep apnea had a positive but non-significant association with coronary plaque presence after adjusting for age and diabetes (adjusted OR 2.47; 95% CI 0.67-9.09).