Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is a risk factor of hypertension

INTRODUCTION: Some studies investigated the association between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and hypertension risk. However, the results remained inconclusive. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis to clarify the association of OSAS and hypertension risk. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Online electronic databases (PubMed and EMBASE) was searched. The strength of association between the OSAS and hypertension risk was assessed by calculating OR with 95% CI. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: A total of 6 articles with 20,637 patients on OSAS and hypertension risk met the study inclusion criteria, and were included in the meta-analysis. OSAS was associated with a significantly increased risk of hypertension (OR=1.41; 95%CI, 1.29-1.8855 I-2=20%). In the race subgroup analysis, Caucasians with OSAS had increased hypertension risk (OR=1.43; 95%CI, 1.29-1.59; I-2=20%). In the subgroup analysis according to gender, male OSAS patients were significantly associated with risk of hypertension (OR=1.59; 95%CI, 1.16-2.17; I-2=0%), while female OSAS patients were not significantly associated with risk of hypertension (OR=1.18; 95%CI, 0.80-1.73; I-2=0%). All of the different severities of OSAS patients had an increased hypertension risk (mild: OR=1.26; 95%CI, 1.17-1.35; I-2=45%; moderate: OR=1.50; 95%CI, 1.27-1.76;I-2=46%; severe: OR=1.47; 95%CI, 1.33-1.64;I-2=63%). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggested that OSAS may be associated with hypertension risk.