High Leptin levels exacerbate Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome symptoms

In a recent study found the intricate interplay between hormones and sleep disorders, researchers identified a strong correlation between leptin levels and the severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) symptoms. The findings of the study were published in Cureus Journal.

OSAS, a condition characterized by disrupted breathing during sleep due to upper airway blockages, has long been linked to obesity. However, the role of leptin, a hormone associated with fat regulation, in exacerbating OSAS symptoms remained uncharted territory until now.

The study, led by a team of sleep medicine experts aimed to investigate whether leptin levels could serve as a predictive marker for OSAS. Conducted as a case-control observational research, the study enrolled 80 participants, including 40 cases with OSAS and 40 controls without the disorder. All participants reported obesity with a Body Mass Index (BMI) ranging from 30 to 35 kg/m², coupled with symptoms such as snoring, daytime drowsiness, fatigue, or insomnia.

Leptin levels and fasting blood sugar were measured in all participants, and the severity of OSAS was evaluated using various indicators including STOP BANG scores, apnea-hypopnea index, uvula grade score, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores.

Results from the study painted a clear picture: individuals with OSAS showcased significantly higher mean leptin and fasting blood sugar levels compared to the control group. Even more strikingly, leptin levels showed a robust correlation with the severity indices of OSAS. This suggests that higher leptin levels might be indicative of more pronounced OSAS symptoms, indicating a potential role for leptin as a predictor for the syndrome.

These findings have promising implications for future treatments. Dr. Rajendra Behera added, "Restoring altered leptin levels through pharmacological interventions could potentially emerge as a valuable adjunct to existing treatment strategies for OSAS. However, further comprehensive studies are warranted to validate this approach."

Source:

Patial, K., Mishra, H. P., Pal, G., Suvvari, T. K., Mahapatra, C., Amanullah, N. A., Singh, I., Gaur, S., & Behera, R. K. (2023). Assessment of Leptin Levels and Their Correlation With the Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A Case-Control Study. In Cureus. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.42028