Association between Serum Homocysteine Level and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common problem that affects human health. Researches have reported a variety of results with reference to the association between OSA and serum homocysteine (Hcy) level. This meta-analysis is proposed to figure out the association between serum Hcy level and OSA.

METHODS: Eligible studies were identified via searching PubMed, Embase, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Two independent reviewers reviewed studies. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS) was employed for quality assessment of included studies. RevMan (5.1) software and STATA (12.0) software were applied to data analyses.

RESULTS: 10 studies containing 839 subjects were included in the present meta-analysis; results revealed that Hcy levels in OSA group were 2.40  μ mol/l higher than that in control group (95% confidence interval: 0.6 to 4.20, P < 0.01; I 2 = 96%). Subgroup analysis showed a significant increase of serum Hcy level in OSA patients compared with healthy controls when apnea hyperpnoea index (AHI) >= 30.

CONCLUSIONS: Serum Hcy levels and OSA have close-knit and significant association. Analyses demonstrated that patients with OSA had a higher serum Hcy level than healthy controls. In addition, this difference is more significant in moderate or severe OSA patients.