Relationship between obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and gastrointestinal diseases: a systematic review and Meta-analysis

Studies exploring the association between obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSA) and gastrointestinal diseases (GID) are important for enhancing clinical outcomes. This study aimed to systematically assess the association between these two diseases. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Willey Library, Cochrane Library and Scopus. This search focused on English literature published up to January 2024. Literature screening, quality assessment (using the NOS scale) and data extraction were performed by two independent researchers. Statistical analyses were performed using the meta-package of the R.4.2.2 software. An initial screening of 2178 papers was conducted and 11 studies were included. Meta-analysis results showed a significant association between OSA and GID (p < 0.01). Subgroup analyses further indicated a stronger association between OSA and GID in Asian populations compared to Europe and the United States. In addition, both benign and malignant GID were significantly associated with OSA, with a pronounced association for malignant GID than for benign GID. The results of publication bias analysis revealed no significant bias (Begg's test p = 0.45, Egger's test p = 0.60). This study uncovers a notable association between OSA and GID, especially in Asian populations, suggesting that clinicians should consider the potential connection between these two diseases during diagnosis and treatment. However, due to the heterogeneity and limitations of the study, these conclusions need to be further validated through more comprehensive research.