CRP evolution pattern in CPAP-treated obstructive sleep apnea patients. Does gender play a role?

Abstract

Our results suggest a delay in the normalization of CRP levels in females despite effective CPAP treatment. A time period of at least 6 months appeared to be required in women in order to reduce CRP levels and consequent cardiovascular risk. In contrast, CPAP's protective role in males is achieved at an earlier time point. Gender-related hormonal and genetic factors may influence the above CRP evolution pattern.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and cardiovascular disease: The influence of C-reactive protein

“…Furthermore our study [60] showed that after PAP therapy CRP was decreased more slowly in females compared to matched for OSAS severity males. CRP levels in females remained unaltered for the first 3 mo, irrespective of effective PAP treatment, while on the contrary males presented a significant fall in CRP over that period.…”

“…A number of studies have also presented higher CRP levels in women compared to men [19][20][21][22][23]36,37,39,51,[56][57][58][59] , probably due to a greater degree of adiposity in women [56,59] . Previously we have shown that moderate to severe OSAS females patients had higher although not statistically significant CRP values, compared to matched males [60] , and more recently Yardim-Akaydin et al [61] showed statistically significant increased values of CRP, in female OSAS patients.…”

Cardiovascular impact of obstructive sleep apnea: does gender matter?

“…In this study, fibrinogen and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were significantly higher in the female patients than in the male patients with OSA [15]. Interestingly, another study found that 3 months of OSA treatment with CPAP promoted a significant reduction of CPR only in men [16]. After 6 months of treatment, CPAP decreased CRP in both genders.…”

“…After 6 months of treatment, CPAP decreased CRP in both genders. Therefore, women seem to have a delay in the CRP normalization, which may indicate a refractory inflammatory process despite effective CPAP therapy [16]. The precise reasons for these findings are not clear but the authors speculated that gender-related hormonal and genetic factors may influence the above CRP evolution pattern [16].…”

Lower Frequency of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Spondyloarthritis Patients Taking TNF-Inhibitors

“…This was unexpected, since CRP levels have been demonstrated to correlate with both OSA and SpA disease activity. 28 However, other uncontrolled factors may have influenced ESR and CRP levels, including non-biologic DMARD use. Several non-biologic DMARDs were used by participants, and these DMARDS are known to affect ESR and CRP levels.…”