Obstructive Sleep Apnea Risk and Stroke among Blacks with Metabolic Syndrome: Results from Metabolic Syndrome Outcome (MetSO) Registry

Abstract

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a constellation of clinical and metabolic risk factors that include abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance, and hypertension. In general, blacks have lower prevalence of MetS when compared to whites, but suffer disproportionately from higher cardiovascular mortality and type two diabetes mellitus [12]. It is unclear whether OSA and metabolic syndrome work synergistically within the black population to place this vulnerable subgroup at an even greater risk of stroke. Studies have speculated, that OSA may create and/or intensify the pre-existing negative components of metabolic syndrome (MetS), suggesting OSA to play a vital role in the pathogenesis of metabolic dysfunction [13]. There is a surprising lack of research regarding the risk of OSA and stroke among blacks with MetS. Given the increased risk of morbidity and mortality associated with OSA, and the undeniable economic burden this places on the US healthcare system, this study sought to investigate blacks with MetS and their risk for OSA and stroke within the Metabolic Syndrome Outcome (MetSO) trial.