The value of biomarkers as diagnostic tool in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a problem of epidemic proportions. Even though
accurate statistics are lacking, it*s roughly estimated that a 10-15% of the
European population is suffering from it. OSA can be treated through a number
of procedures like Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), Maxillofacial
Surgery (MMA), ENT Surgery, Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS), Mandibular
Advancement Device (MAD), and Positional Therapy (PT). The effect of treatment
can be established by repeated sleep studies. Although Polysomnography (PSG) is
the gold standard for diagnosing OSA, repeating standard PSG*s in all patients
is time consuming and expensive. The Dasman Diabetes Institute has a biomarker
panel that has potential for monitoring the severity and treatment effect of
OSA. Identification of a blood biomarker, collected from venepuncture, can
provide a less expensive, less time consuming and more patient friendly
diagnosic tool than PSG. Replacement of PSG for accurate biomarkers would
provide a worldwide opportunity for all OSA clinics to simplify baseline and
follow-up standard OSA screening.

To identify biomarkers associated with OSA and OSA disease severity by
investigating whether there are biomarkers in agreement with PSG, pre- and
post-treatment and does OSA treatment result in improvement of these markers
associated with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Single center prospective case-control study.

Following the hospital protocol all patients visiting the hospital for OSA
screening receive a PSG after which will be decided whether treatment is
necessary. The best treatment option will be evaluated for every patient. After
CPAP treatment and UAS, a post-treatment PSG is already standard performed. An
additional procedure for this cohort will be plasma extraction prior and after
treatment.