The role of inflammation in the association between gestational diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea: A pilot study

Background Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with pregnancy complications including gestational diabetes. Mechanisms underlying the association between obstructive sleep apnea and gestational diabetes remain to be elucidated. Methods Twenty-three participants with gestational diabetes underwent home sleep apnea testing. Obstructive sleep apnea was defined as an apnea hypopnea index > 5. Fasting morning blood samples were measured using multianalyte profiling (xMAP) multiplexed bead array immunoassay for Interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and Interleukin 8. Results Age, body mass index, and gestational age at enrollment were 31 + 4.4 years, 35.7 + 7.4 kg/m(2), and 28 +/- 4 weeks, respectively. Participants were 52% Caucasian and 16% had obstructive sleep apnea. We observed positive correlations between apnea hypopnea index and Interleukin 6 (r = 0.62, p = 0.005), Interleukin 8 (r = 0.56, p = .56), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (r = .58, p = .009). Women with obstructive sleep apnea had higher levels of Interleukin 6 (F = 5.01, p = .037) and Interleukin 8 (F = 6.33, p = .021) vs. women without obstructive sleep apnea. Conclusion These preliminary results indicate that in women with gestational diabetes, apnea hypopnea index is associated with an elevated inflammatory profile.