BACKGROUND: Inflammation is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Hepcidin, a 25-kD peptide hormone produced by the liver, modulates acute inflammatory responses. This study aimed to determine the association of serum levels of hepcidin with the presence and severity of OSAS.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We enrolled 184 patients with OSAS and 110 healthy subjects. Serum levels of hepcidin were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.

RESULTS: OSAS patients had significantly higher serum hepcidin levels compared with healthy controls. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that serum hepcidin levels were an independent determinant of the presence of OSAS (OR 1.224, 95% CI 1.159–1.292; P<0.001). Serum hepcidin levels were significantly elevated in severe OSAS patients compared with mild and moderate OSAS patients. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that serum hepcidin levels were correlated with the severity of OSAS. In addition, serum levels of hepcidin were correlated with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in patients with OSAS.

CONCLUSIONS: Elevated serum hepcidin levels are associated with the presence and severity of OSAS.

Keywords: Body Mass Index, Anthropometry, Case-Control Studies, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, healthy volunteers, Hepcidins - blood, Multivariate Analysis, Peptides - chemistry, Polysomnography, Regression Analysis, Sleep Apnea, Obstructive - blood