Is obstructive sleep apnea related to white matter hyperintensity?

White matter hyperintensity (WMHs) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is common in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and stroke patients, and is usually used for cerebral small vessel disease, as well as other pathologies, such as lacunar infarction or microhemorrhage Markers
.

Previous studies have found that white matter hyperintensity is associated with dementia, cognitive decline, stroke, death, gait abnormalities, balance disorders, and increased risk of depression
.

In the Pomeranian Health Research (SHIP), Habes et al.
found that the enhancement of WMHs is related to late brain aging and aggravated AD brain atrophy
.

As a potential risk factor for WMHs, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is insidious and usually has no symptoms.
Currently, the most reliable diagnostic method is nocturnal polysomnography (PSG)
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Although both OSA and WMHs often occur in the elderly, there are few studies on the correlation between the two.
This article is the study with the largest sample size so far.
It is hoped that through studying the relationship between OSA and WMHs The relationship explores the mechanism of WMHs cases and lays the foundation for finding new treatment methods
.

Yimaitong compiles and organizes, please do not reprint without authorization
.

Study Introduction The researchers included 529 participants from the SHIP-Trend baseline (SHIP-Trend-0) study, which is a cross-sectional observational study based on the general population from West Pomerania, Germany in September 2008 Randomly recruited from the adult population of Rania
.

Through the analysis of WMH images, OSA and clinical data in cases, we investigated general risk factors, subclinical diseases, clinical diseases and their interrelationships
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 Main research results ➤The average age of the 529 participants was 52.
15 years, and the SD was 13.
58, including 282 (53%) female patients
.

According to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), there were 209 cases of OSA (40%), the average AHI was 7.
98 events/hour, and the SD was 12.
55; according to the oxygen saturation index (ODI), there were 102 cases (19%) of OSA.
), the average ODI is 3.
75 events/hour, and the SD is 8.
43
.

AHI (β=0.
024; 95%CI, 0.
011-0.
037; P<0.
001) and ODI (β=0.
033; 95%CI, 0.
014-0.
051; P<0.
001) were significantly related to brain WMH volume
.

 ➤Even with additional WMH risk factors for blood vessels, metabolism, and life>
.

Region-specific WMH analysis found that the volume of WMH in the anterior part of the ventricle was related to AHI (β=0.
0275; 95%CI, 0.
013-0.
042, P<0.
001) and ODI (β=0.
0381; 95%CI, 0.
016-0.
060, P<0.
001) ) The most relevant
.

The WMH volume at the posterior side of the ventricle had the strongest correlation with AHI (β=0.
0165; 95% CI, 0.
004-0.
029, P=0.
008)
.

Research conclusions This study found that there is a significant correlation between WMH and OSA, and WMH is related to the severity of OSA.
There is a dose-dependent relationship between them, which suggests that we can reduce WMH by controlling OSA
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In addition, adjusting the risk factors related to WMH, such as metabolism, blood vessels, and life>
.

 Yimaitong compiled from: Association Between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Brain White Matter Hyperintensities in a Population-Based Cohort in Germany.
– JAMA Network Open – October 5, 2021.