Interleukin-23 concentrations of NREM-AHI greater than REM-AHI versus REM-AHI greater than NREM-AHI in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Abstract

Objective: Although the presence of a systemic inflammatory response is known in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), there have not been adequate investigations on the association of such a response with the predominance of apneas either in rapid eye movement (REM) or in the non-REM (NREM) phase. In this study, we compared interleukin-23 (IL-23) concentrations, a marker of systemic inflammatory process, in individuals with sleep apnea syndrome, whose apneas where predominant in the REM or NREM phase. Methods: Fifty-four patients aged over 18 years who were diagnosed as having OSAS based on polysomnography were included in the study. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was used to divide patients into groups of AHI(REM)>AHI(NREM) and AHI(NREM)>AHI(REM). In the blood samples drawn from the patients, IL-23 concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results:The study included patients with OSAS aged 28-65 years, of whom 29 were AHI(REM)>AHI(NREM) and 25 were AHI(NREM)> N-REM. The AHI(REM) >AHI(NREM) OSAS group had no sex-based variance (14 males, 15 females), but the AHI(NREM) >AHI(REM) group was substantially composed of males (21 males, 4 females). The average AHI( )of the AHI(NREM) >AHI(REM) group (43.34 +/- 21.40) was significantly higher than in the AHI(REM) >AHI(NREM) Nifm group (26.79 +/- 17.32). IL-23 concentrations were higher in patients with AHI(REM) >AHI(NREM) sleep apnea (225.38 +/- 77.29) compared patients with AHI(NREM) >AHI(REM), sleep apnea (183.68 +/- 78.49). Conclusion: In AHI(REM) >AHI(NREM )sleep apnea, the systemic inflammatory response may be more dramatic. Taking the AHI(REM) value into consideration along with the average AHI value seems to be important for treatment modalities.