The serum copeptin levels in obstructive sleep apnea patients with prehypertensive

D.C. Akkoyun, A. Akyuz, F. Tulubas, N. Altıntas, S. Alpsoy, L.C. Mutlu, A. Gurel, R. Alp

Departments of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Namık Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey. cayanakkoyun@gmail.com

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• Cardiology

OBJECTIVE: Copeptin is a precursor of AVP, an antidiuretic hormone, plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is related to cardiovascular disease. We sought to evaluate the serum copeptin levels in newly diagnosed prehypertensive patients with OSAS.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-four prehypertensive patients were evaluated using polysomnography and were divided into two groups, an OSAS (n = 41) group and a control (n = 43) group. Serum copeptin levels were measured using the ELISA method.

RESULTS: Copeptin levels were significantly higher in the OSAS group compared to the control group (146 [93-739] pg/ml vs. 111 [33-253] pg/ml, respectively, p < 0.001). A regression analysis revealed that the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) and the lowest SpO2 were related to serum copeptin levels (unstandardized β = 1.02 ± 0.40, p = 0.014 and unstandardized β = -3.1 ± 0.9, p = 0.048 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of our study, serum copeptin levels are higher in the prehypertensive patients with OSAS compared to those in the control group. Therefore, in assessing the severity of OSAS, serum copeptin levels can be a candidate for a biochemical marker in addition to polysomnographic findings.

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