@article{3154520,
    title = "Effect of CPAP treatment on endothelial function and plasma CRP levels
in patients with sleep apnea",
    author = "Panoutsopoulos, Athanasios and Kallianos, Anastasios and Kostopoulos, and Konstantinos and Seretis, Charalampos and Koufogiorga, Eleni and and Protogerou, Athanasios and Trakada, Georgia and Kostopoulos, Charalampos and and Zakopoulos, Nikolaos and Nikolopoulos, Ioannis",
    journal = "Medical science monitor basic research",
    year = "2012",
    volume = "18",
    number = "12",
    pages = "CR747-CR751",
    publisher = "International Scientific Information, Inc.",
    doi = "10.12659/MSM.883603",
    keywords = "CPAP; sleep apnea; inflammation",
    abstract = "Background: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most
effective method for treating obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS)
and alleviating symptoms. Improved sleep quality with effective CPAP
therapy might also contribute to attenuated systemic inflammation and
improved endothelial function, with subsequent reduction of
cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of
3-month CPAP therapy on brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and
plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with OSAS.
Material/Methods: Our study group consisted of 38 male patients with no
prior history of cardiovascular disease. Twenty patients with an
Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) >= 15 were assigned to receive CPAP treatment
and 18 subjects with an AHI<5 were included in the control group. Six
patients failed to comply with the CPAP treatment. Measurement of FMD
and blood analysis was performed at baseline and 3 months after CPAP
therapy.
Results: Baseline FMD values were negatively correlated with age, BMI,
AHI, DSI,% of time <90% Sa02, and CRP (p<0.05). Plasma CRP values were
positively correlated with BMI, AHI, DSI and% of time <90% Sa02
(p<0.05). In the group of patients who complied with the CPAP treatment,
there was a significant increase in the FMD values (9.18 +/- 0.55 vs.
6.27 +/- 0.50) and a decrease in the levels of CRP (0.67 +/- 0.15 vs.
0.84 +/- 0.18) (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Appropriate CPAP therapy improved both CRP and FMD values,
suggesting its potentially beneficial role in reducing cardiovascular
risk in OSAS patients."
}