Correlation of Body Mass Index and Neck Circumference in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome

폐쇄성 수면무호흡 증후군과 목둘레 및 체질량 지수와의 상관성 연구

Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS) is a disorder characterized by the repetitive collapse of the pharyngeal airway during sleep, which leads to oxygen desaturation, sleep fragmentation, daytime sleepiness, and increased risk for hypertension and stroke. We investigated the clinical factors related to the severity of OSAHS. Polysomnography was performed in three hundred and ninety five consecutive adult patients with clinical symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. All patients completed the sleep questionnaire and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale before polysomnography. Patients were classified into four groups based on the severity of their polysomnographic data: Non-OSA group, characterized by Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) < 5; mild OSA group, by AHI 5-15; moderate OSA group, by AHI 16-30; and severe OSA group, by AHI > 30. Neck circumference was also measured at the cricothyroid level. A total of 395 patients (336 men and 59 women) were studied. In the non-OSA group, there were 55 patients; their mean neck circumference was $39.63{\pm}4.24cm$ and mean BMI was $24.48{\pm}3.53$. In the mild group, there were 101 patients; their mean neck circumference was $41.93{\pm}3.75cm$ and mean BMI was $25.33{\pm}2.94$. In the moderated group, there were 93 patients; their mean neck circumference was $43.27{\pm}3.50cm$ and BMI was $25.90{\pm}2.88$. In the severe group, there were 146 patients; their mean neck circumference was $44.94{\pm}3.93cm$ and mean BMI was $26.81{\pm}3.76$. Men had significantly larger neck circumference than women ($Mean{\pm}SD$, $43.72{\pm}3.83$ vs $39.17{\pm}4.30$, p < 0.001), and higher AHI than women ($29.12{\pm}22.65$ vs $14.63{\pm}14.11$, p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that neck circumference was the most significant predictor of AHI. Neck circumference and BMI were positively correlated with the severity of OSAHS. The severity of OSAHS was greater in men than in women.