Familial premature coronary artery disease mortality and obstructive sleep apnea

Apoor S. Gami, Stefanie Rader, Anna Svatikova, Robert Wolk, Daniel L. Herold, Christine Huyber, Mikolaj Winnicki, Virend K. Somers

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to both coronary artery disease (CAD) and sudden death, but any causal role remains unclear. A family history of premature CAD and related mortality is an independent risk factor for the development of CAD. We hypothesized that OSA is associated with a family history of premature mortality from ischemic heart disease. Methods: We prospectively studied 588 subjects who underwent polysomnography from May 2000 to June 2004. Demographics, comorbidities, family history of cardiovascular disease, and the ages and causes of death for 10 strata of family members were recorded for all subjects. We excluded those subjects with known causes of premature cardiac death, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and long-QT syndrome. OSA was defined by American Academy of Sleep Medicine criteria (ie, apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 5). Premature CAD mortality was defined as death due to ischemic heart disease or sudden cardiac death before 55 years of age (men) or 65 years of age (women). Results: Polysomnography confirmed OSA in 316 subjects and excluded it in 202 subjects. The unadjusted odds ratio (OR) for OSA and a family history of premature CAD mortality was 2.11 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10 to 4.31; p = 0.031). After adjusting for each subject's sex, body mass index, and history of CAD, there was a significant and independent association between OSA and family history of premature CAD mortality (OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.04 to 4.66; p = 0.046). Conclusions: Regardless of their own CAD status, people with OSA are more likely than those without OSA to have a family history of premature CAD mortality.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)118-121
Number of pages4
JournalChest
Volume131
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2007

Keywords

  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Family history
  • Risk factor
  • Sleep apnea

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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