30 Oct Could a blood test be used to predict OSAS?
OSA is linked to common cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Having a blood test is common place after a general checkup at the doctors as it lets the doctors know about possible diabetes, high cholesterol or may show signs that there is some other disfunction in the body.
Common blood tests include the Monocyte count which are a type of white blood cell which fight off infections. High numbers of these indicate the body is fighting off an infection or may also indicate a more serious blood disorder. High density lipoproteins (HDL) are also commonly measured along with low density lipoproteins (LDL) and triglycerides as an indicator of heart health and possible early signs of cardiovascular disease.
A recent study has looked at the Monocyte to HDL ratio (MHR) in the blood serum and if the ratio was a predictor for obstructive sleep apnoea.
The investigators found that OSA patients (AHI>5 and excessive daytime tiredness) had a significantly different monocyte to HDL ratio (MHR) to that of controls (AHI <5). Furthermore, they also found significant differences in the MHR between subgroups of mild, moderate and severe OSA.
These findings suggest the MHR, easily performed by a blood test, could be a useful predictor for OSAS.