BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is considered an important risk factor of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Epicardial fat (EF) thickness and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) may be important links to accelerated atherosclerosis observed in patients with OSA. The aim was to evaluate the relationship between EF thickness and A-FABP levels in patients with OSA. METHODS: 66 patients (of which, 60 were males) of average age 55.6 ± 8.8 years, with newly diagnosed OSA were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent a sleep study, anthropometric parameters were measured, laboratory analysis and echocardiography with EF thickness measurements were collected. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1: EF < 1mm; Group 2: EF > 1mm. RESULTS: Epicardial fat was present in 51 patients (77.3%). A positive correlation was found between A-FABP levels and % of body fat (r=0.452, p=0.0002). After adjusting to % of body fat, there was no significant difference found in A-FABP levels in the two groups divided. CONCLUSIONS: This study found a positive correlation between serum A-FABP level and % of body fat in patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea. No significant difference was found between both groups.

Department of Exercise Medicine and Cardiovascular Rehabilitation University Hospital Olomouc and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Palacky University Olomouc Czech Republic

Department of Respiratory Medicine at West Middlesex University Hospital UK

Department of Respiratory Medicine University Hospital Olomouc and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Palacky University Olomouc Czech Republic

Palacky University Olomouc Czech Republic