Increased incidence of coronary artery disease in sleep apnoea: a long-term follow-up

An increased incidence of cardiovascular disease has previously been reported in middle-aged males during a follow-up period of 7 yrs. The aim of the present study was to address the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in a larger sample without any heart disease at baseline. The population comprised 308 snorers (245 males and 63 females) with a mean +/- (SD) age of 49.0 +/- 9.9 yrs in 1991. Data were collected via the Swedish Hospital Discharge Register, National Cause of Death Registry, clinical charts and questionnaires. Over 7 yrs, CAD was observed in 17 (16.2%) of 105 patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA; overnight (6 h) oxygen desaturations >= 30 events) compared with 11 (5.4%) of 203 snorers without OSA. OSA diagnosis at baseline was associated with an increased risk of development of CAD in a multivariate model. In the OSA group, CAD was confirmed in 16 (24.6%) of 65 incompletely treated patients compared with one (3.9%) of 26 efficiently treated subjects. Efficient treatment of OSA reduced this risk. It is concluded that middle-aged sleep apnoeics are at high risk of developing coronary artery disease if they are not treated efficiently, which should be considered in cardiovascular disease prevention models.