Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic sleep-related breathing disorder that has long been associated with increased cardiovascular risks. In recent years, researchers have uncovered the role of vitamin D in cardiovascular health, leading to the exploration of potential links between OSA and vitamin D deficiency.
A recent comprehensive analysis published in Hormones has uncovered a significant association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and vitamin D deficiency. The study, conducted by a team of researchers led by Huai H L and colleagues sheds light on the impact of OSA on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels, which play a crucial role in overall health.

The findings reveal that patients with OSA exhibit lower serum 25-OHD levels and a higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency compared to those without OSA. This connection persists even when considering factors such as age, body mass index (BMI), and geographical location.
To investigate this further, the researchers pooled data from 18 observational studies, encompassing a total of 5592 individuals. They examined baseline parameters and analyzed the differences in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels between patients with OSA and those without the condition.
The results of the analysis were striking.:
Patients with OSA exhibited significantly lower serum 25-OHD levels compared to their counterparts without OSA.
The pooled data showed a substantial difference, with a pooled d of -0.74 (95% CI: -1.19 to -0.28, p < 0.01). Furthermore, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was notably higher in individuals with OSA, as indicated by a pooled log odds ratio of 0.98 (95% CI: 0.30 to 1.67, p < 0.01).
Subgroup analysis delved deeper into the severity of OSA and its connection to vitamin D levels. The differences in serum 25-OHD levels and vitamin D deficiency were found to be particularly significant in cases of moderate and severe OSA.
The study also explored the impact of CPAP treatment, a common therapy for OSA.
The analysis did not reveal any significant changes in serum 25-OHD levels following CPAP treatment, suggesting that OSA itself may have an independent association with vitamin D deficiency.
In summary, this comprehensive analysis highlights a compelling link between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and vitamin D deficiency. Regardless of factors such as age, body mass index (BMI), and geographical location, patients with OSA exhibited lower serum 25-OHD levels and a higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring vitamin D levels in individuals with OSA and prompt further research to understand the underlying mechanisms and potential interventions to address this association.
Reference:
Loh, H. H., Lim, Q. H., Kang, W. H., Yee, A., Yong, M. C., & Sukor, N. Obstructive sleep apnea and vitamin D: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Hormones,2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42000-023-00481-3