Exploring the Link Between Sleep characteristics and Osteoarthritis: Evidence from NHANES and MR

Abstract

Background Epidemiological studies indicate that sleep disturbances are risk factors for osteoarthritis (OA). Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep disorder, yet its causal relationship with OA remains unclear. Therefore, this study investigates the causal relationship between three typical sleep characteristics of OSA and OA, aiming to provide theoretical support for clinical prevention and treatment strategies. Methods We used information from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for 2015–2018 to conduct a cross-sectional study. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to evaluate the association between OSA and OA. We obtained genetic instruments from publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS) databases for MR studies, with inverse variance weighting (IVW) as the primary method. Results After controlling for all confounding variables, multivariate logistic regression revealed an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.67 (95% CI: 1.44, 1.95) for OSA about OA, supporting the positive connection between the two conditions established in the cross-sectional analysis. MR analysis further suggested a causal link between snoring and daytime sleepiness, two primary OSA symptoms, and an increased risk of OA, with OR of 1.059 (95% CI: 1.020, 1.099) and 1.052 (95% CI: 1.013, 1.094), respectively. Conclusion Our study found that OSA may be a risk factor for the development or progression of OA. Therefore, we believe that OSA may be a new target for the prevention and treatment of OA. Future studies should focus on confirming these findings in different populations and elucidating the exact biological mechanisms behind the OSA-OA relationship.