Relationship Between Serum Asymmetric Dimethylarginine (ADMA) Level And Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) Severity

Introduction: The repetitive hypoxemia can induce oxidative stress mechanisms. Oxidative stress increases serum ADMA levels in patients with OSAS. Aim: To investigate the relationship between serum levels of ADMA and OSAS severity. Methods: 330 patient’s records, who underwent overnight polysomnography (PSG) were retrospectively examined. The patients who had a abnormal serum glucose, lipid, thyroid, renal and liver function tests levels, had excluded. 72 patients had participating criteria. Patients were categorized into five groups according to apnea/hipopnea index (AHI). Measurement of ADMA levels was performed by ELISA kit. Results: The mean age was 44,19 ± 14,24 years. 31,9 % of the patients were female. Patients in normal group, severe, medium, mild and positional–REM dependent OSAS group were 26,4%, 25%, 6,9 %, 16,7% and 25%; respectively. A significant positive correlation was found between AHI and ADMA (r= 0,483; p 10) and the negative likelihood ratio was (LR-) 0,28 (R- <1). Conclusions: ADMA was found to be a strong and good diagnostic tool among patients with normal levels for glucose, lipid, TSH, creatinine and liver function tests.