Risk of Acute Kidney Injury in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

An independent association exists between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and acute kidney injury (AKI), and OSA may impact AKI progression, according to findings presented at the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) 2022 Annual Meeting and OTO Experience, held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 10 to 14, 2022.

Researchers sought to ascertain the association between OSA and AKI and to identify the risk with confounding factors for AKI in OSA among residents of the United Kingdom (UK).

The researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of data from the UK Biobank using conditional Cox models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) of AKI relative to previous OSA. A statistical verification process to determine when stratified analyses were needed. Such stratified analyses were performed for potential confounding factors including comorbidities (yes/no), physical activity (low/moderate/high), tobacco exposure (never/former/current), alcohol consumption, OSA-related treatment received (yes/no), and BMI (<18.5/18.5-24.9/25-30/>30). The effect modification by age and sex was also analyzed.

The researchers found a strong association between OSA and a greater risk of AKI (odds ratio 3.107; 95% CI, 3.035-3.183; P =.003). The correlation was preserved after adjustment for sex and age.

Researchers concluded that “OSA is independently associated with AKI and may have an impact on AKI progression.”

Reference

Sun X, Wang H, Liu S, Zou J. Association of obstructive sleep apnea with risk of acute kidney injury: Prospective study in UK Biobank. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2022;167(1 suppl):P291.