The novel indicators of moderate to severe sleep apnea: fibrinogen to albumin ratio vs. CRP to albumin ratio

Purpose This study aimed at investigating the association of severity of obstructive sleep apnea with the markers of inflammation as fibrinogen to albumin ratio and C-reactive protein to albumin ratio. Methods We included 126 patients admitted to sleep disorders outpatient clinic. We constituted four groups by reference to the apnea-hypopnea index (mild-moderate-severe sleep apnea and control group). We investigated the difference of white blood cell, fibrinogen to albumin ratio, C-reactive protein to albumin ratio, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, platelet to lymphocyte ratio, and hemoglobin among the groups. Results Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, platelet to lymphocyte ratio, and hemoglobin did not significantly differ among four groups (p = 0.39,p = 0.06, andp = 0.31, respectively). A significant difference of fibrinogen to albumin ratio and C-reactive protein to albumin ratio was evident among four groups (p < 0.001). Fibrinogen to albumin ratio and C-reactive protein to albumin ratio did not significantly differ between the mild sleep apnea and control groups (p = 0.65, andp = 0.85, respectively), but were significantly greater in moderate sleep apnea group compared with the control group (p < 0.001 andp = 0.001, respectively). Also, fibrinogen to albumin ratio and C-reactive protein to albumin ratio were significantly greater in the severe sleep apnea group compared with the control group (p < 0.001). Fibrinogen to albumin ratio and C-reactive protein to albumin ratio did not significantly differ between the severe sleep apnea and moderate sleep apnea groups (p = 0.49, andp = 0.58, respectively). Conclusion Higher fibrinogen to albumin ratio and C-reactive protein to albumin ratio may be predictive of inflammation in patients with moderate-to-severe sleep apnea.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the association of obstructive sleep apnea severity with markers of inflammation, specifically the fibrinogen to albumin ratio and C-reactive protein to albumin ratio. The results showed significant differences in these ratios among patients with different levels of sleep apnea severity, suggesting a potential predictive value for inflammation in patients with moderate-to-severe sleep apnea.