Air pollution exacerbates mild obstructive sleep apnea by disrupting nocturnal changes in lower-limb body composition: a cross-sectional study conducted in urban northern Taiwan

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2023-08, Vol.887, p.163969-163969, Article 163969
• Main Authors: He, Yansu, Liu, Wen-Te, Lin, Shang-Yang, Li, Zhiyuan, Qiu, Hong, Yim, Steve Hung-Lam, Chuang, Hsiao-Chi, Ho, Kin Fai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bioelectric impedance analysis; Nocturnal changes in body composition; Partial least squares regression; Polysomnography; Spatiotemporal model
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163969

Few studies have explored the role of body composition linking air pollution to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). To estimate the effects of air pollution on body composition and OSA, and that of body composition on OSA. This study included 3550 individuals. A spatiotemporal model estimated personal exposure. Nocturnal changes in body composition were assessed through bioelectric impedance analysis. OSA was diagnosed using polysomnography. A generalized linear model was used to evaluate the absolute nocturnal changes in body composition associated with an interquartile range (IQR) increase in pollutants. A generalized logistic model was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) of mild-OSA compared to non-OSA. Association between body composition and apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) was investigated through partial least squares (PLS) regression. Nocturnal changes in lower-limb body composition were associated with NO2 and PM2.5 in all patients. In participants with AHI