To evaluate serum copeptin levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and healthy controls.
Fifty-eight newly diagnosed OSA patients and thirty-five healthy individuals were enrolled. OSA patients were divided into mild (5 ≥ AHI < 15), moderate (15 ≥ AHI < 30), and severe (AHI ≥ 30) groups. Copeptin levels were evaluated and compared between patients and healthy individuals. For the subgroup analysis, OSA patients were divided into two groups, AHI < 30 (mild-moderate) and ≥ 30 (severe) and copeptin levels were compared between the groups.
Copeptin levels were significantly higher in the OSA group compared to the healthy individuals (p = 0.001). In severe OSA patients (AHI ≥ 30), copeptin levels were significantly higher than in the mild-moderate group (p = 0.038). The analysis showed that copeptin levels > 4.41 had a 89% sensitivity and 71% specificity for APE (AUC 0.831, 95% CI 0.740-0.922).
Serum copeptin levels were found to be associated with OSA, severe OSA. Copeptin levels may be useful for monitoring and determining high-risk patients OSA patients.