[Immune function changes in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome].

Objective: To explore the potential changes in the immune function of patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

Methods: We carried out a retrospective cross-sectional study of 187 patients with established OSAHS and 20 healthy subjects (control). For all the patients, the medical history was carefully examined, and overnight sleep monitoring was carried out with detection of the humoral and cellular immunity.

Results: We found a significant increase in the levels of C3 and a decrease in both the IgM level and NK cell percentage in OSAHS patients as compared to the control group (P<0.01). Correlation analysis indicated that C3 was positive correlated to AHI but inversely to the lowest pulse oxygen saturation (LSpO(2)); IgM showed a mild positively correlation to LSpO(2), and NK cells had a mild inverse correlation to AHI. The other immunological indices were not found to undergo noticeable changes or show correlations in OSAHS.

Conclusion: Immune function changes occur in patients with OSAHS, characterized primarily by deteriorations in the humoral and cellular immunity.