Association Between Sleep Apnea, Sleep Duration, and Serum Lipid Profile in an Urban, Male, Working Population in Japan

Background Dyslipidemia is often comorbid with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but few population-based studies have investigated their relationship. Short sleep duration is associated with hypertension and diabetes; however, its association with dyslipidemia is not well known. We investigated relationships among OSA, sleep duration, and the lipid profile in a community-based study. Methods We measured the respiratory disturbance index (RDI) and sleep duration by a type 3 portable device and actigraph in 275 men in a Japanese company. Fasting blood parameters were obtained from periodic inspection data. Results According to Japanese criteria, 143 subjects had dyslipidemia. Percent sleep time of oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry (SpO 2 ) 2 during sleep were lower in subjects with dyslipidemia than in those without. Univariate analysis showed that the RDI was positively correlated with serum triglyceride (TG) levels (ρ = 0.20, P P = .03) and serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (γ = −0.12, P = .04). Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that TG was correlated with RDI (β = 0.14, P = .02), BMI (β = 0.20, P P P = .03), age (β = 0.15, P = .02), and waist/hip ratio (β = 0.15, P = .02). Conclusions Short sleep duration was associated with TC levels and RDI was positively associated with TG levels among working-aged men in an urban Japanese company. Correcting the status of OSA and/or short sleep duration might improve the lipid profile and cardiovascular consequences.