The importance of calprotectin levels in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome severity.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is mostly seen in adult populations. It is known that increased levels of several inflammatory mediators play roles in OSAS and related comorbidities. Calprotectin is an inflammatory mediator that increases in some diseases such as Behçet's syndrome, bowel diseases and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether calprotectin can be used as a biomarker in OSAS by determining the relation between serum calprotectin levels and OSAS severity.

STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study.

METHODS: A prospective study was planned. Eighty-three patients undergoing polysomnography were included in the study and evaluated prospectively. Thirty patients were classified as non-OSAS (group 1), 18 as mild OSAS (group 2), 15 as moderate OSAS (group 3) and 20 as severe OSAS (group 4). Calprotectin values were measured in the non-OSAS patients (group 1) and in the patients with OSAS (groups 2, 3 and 4). The OSAS groups were also compared with each other.

RESULTS: Serum calprotectin values ranged between 70.61 and 1468.04 ng/ml. No significant difference in calprotectin levels was found between the OSAS and normal groups. However, statistically significantly increased calprotectin values were determined in the severe OSAS group (group 4) when all groups were compared.

CONCLUSION: Calprotectin values were elevated in OSAS patients and it can be used as a marker of severe OSAS. Future studies can support our study.