Effects of positive airway pressure therapy on neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in males with obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with cardiovascular complications. The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been shown to be a marker of inflammation, being elevated in patients with cardiovascular disease. Several studies have demonstrated the protective effect of positive airway pressure regarding cardiovascular risk, however, there are few studies evaluating its effect on the reduction of NLR.

The aim was to evaluate the effect of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy on neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio after 6 months of PAP.

This prospective study included 47 male patients. Patients with other sleep disorders, neuromuscular pathology, renal disease, thyroid pathology, heart failure, neoplasms, chronic inflammatory disease or prior PAP use were excluded. Basal NLR and after 6 months of PAP therapy (S9 Resmed®, Australia) were assessed.