In eutrophic adults, moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea was associated with higher VLDL and triglycerides, and lower zinc and magnesium levels compared to those without OSA.
Cross-Sectional (n=184)
Is obstructive sleep apnea associated with alterations in nutritional biochemical markers in eutrophic individuals?
Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with altered nutritional biomarkers (lipids, zinc, transferrin, magnesium) in normal-weight individuals, suggesting metabolic disturbances independent of obesity.
Abstract Introduction Unhealthy dietary patterns contribute to chronic disease risk and may influence sleep quality, including the development and severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). While most studies have focused on overweight or obese populations, the influence of nutritional status in eutrophic individuals with OSA remains underexplored. Methods Unhealthy dietary patterns contribute to chronic disease risk and may influence sleep quality, including the development and severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). While most studies have focused on overweight or obese populations, the influence of nutritional status in eutrophic individuals with OSA remains underexplored. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Data were obtained from the EPISONO 4th edition, a population-based study conducted between 2018 and 2019. 769 participants aged 20-80 years underwent polysomnography, blood sample analysis, and lifestyle questionnaires. It was performed Kruskal-Wallis analysis to assess differences in medians between nutritional biochemical markers and OSA severity and linear regression for associations between nutritional biochemical markers and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Results Out of the 769 participants initially evaluated, 23.9% were eutrophic adults. The sample included 184 men (42.9%) and women (57.1%) aged 20-59 years within the eutrophic range according to the body mass index (BMI) (18.5 to 24.9kg/m²). For the statistical analysis, individuals were stratified by OSA severity and controlled for sex and age. They were further categorized into 3 groups according to OSA severity: no OSA, mild OSA, and moderate-to-severe OSA. Individuals with moderate-to-severe OSA exhibited higher concentrations of very-low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides compared with those without OSA. Increasing OSA severity was associated with lower zinc levels, with moderate-to-severe OSA presenting reduced concentrations compared with mild OSA. Linear regression analysis further revealed that higher AHI values were linked to increased concentrations of transferrin, and to decreased magnesium levels. Conclusion OSA is associated with alterations in nutritional biochemical markers in eutrophic individuals, suggesting that these differences, independent of obesity, may reflect dietary patterns and underscore the need for integrative management approaches for this sleep disorder. Support (if any) Associação Fundo de Incentivo à Pesquisa (AFIP), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP; grant 2020/13467-8).
Schimenes et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Obstructive Sleep Apnea (n=184). Obstructive sleep apnea vs. No OSA was evaluated on Differences in nutritional biochemical markers according to OSA severity. In eutrophic adults, moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea was associated with higher VLDL and triglycerides, and lower zinc and magnesium levels compared to those without OSA.