ABSTRACT
NTRODUCTION: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has a significant effect on the development of cardiovascular complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), paraoxonase 1 (PON 1) enzyme levels and severity of OSA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 120 cases were included in the study with 30 cases in each group, as follows: Group 1 (AHI 30/h). Blood samples of the patients were taken to measure serum PON1 activity. Carotid IMT of all patients included in the study was measured by means of echocardiography using vascular probe and results were recorded. RESULTS: With regard to carotid IMT, a statistically significant increase was detected as severity of OSA increased (p < 0.001). A positive relationship was detected between IMT level and total oxygen desaturation time, oxygen desaturation index and SpO2 time < 90 % (p < 0.01). When the groups were compared, a statistically significant decline was observed in serum PON 1 level as severity of OSA increased (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our study indicate that PON1 and carotid IMT might be used as indicators of vascular damage in patients with OSA. Depending on the severity of OSA, measurement of PON1 enzyme activity in conjunction with carotid IMT may help us in predicting the cardiovascular risk in patients with OSA (Tab. 4, Fig. 2, Ref. 27).
