MicroRNAs as Biomarkers for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · Dec 19, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a condition called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is a common sleep disorder that affects breathing during sleep. The goal of the study is to find specific markers in the blood, known as microRNAs, that can help identify OSA patients, track how well treatments are working, and predict how treatment might affect blood pressure. Currently, there are no easy blood tests to diagnose or manage OSA, so this research could lead to important advancements in patient care.

To participate in the trial, individuals need to be between 18 and 75 years old. Those with moderate to severe OSA (having 15 or more breathing events per hour during sleep) and who are willing to use a CPAP machine (a common treatment) may be eligible. On the other hand, healthy participants without OSA (fewer than 5 events per hour) are also needed for comparison. It's important to note that those currently using OSA treatments or with certain health conditions, like severe kidney disease, cannot participate. Participants can expect to provide blood samples and undergo assessments to help researchers understand how these microRNAs relate to OSA.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria for Cases:
• • age 18-75 years
• • moderate-severe OSA (defined as AHI ≥15 events/hour)
• • willing to accept PAP therapy
• Inclusion Criteria for Controls:
• • age 18-75 years
• • no OSA (defined as AHI \<5 events/hour)
• Exclusion Criteria for Cases:
• • current use of PAP or other OSA treatments
• • home oxygen therapy
• • recent changes (within 3 months) to BP medications among those who are on these medications
• • presence of Cheyne-Stokes Respiration (CSR) in sleep study
• • predominantly central sleep apnea (AHI≥15 events/hour, with \>50% central events)
• • pregnancy
• • clinical history of chronic kidney disease (Stage 5) requiring dialysis, or renal transplant
• • organ transplantation
• • self-reported sleep duration less than 5 hours per night on weeknights (work nights)
• • current night shift work
• Exclusion Criteria for Controls:
• • home oxygen therapy
• • pregnancy
• • clinical history of chronic kidney disease (Stage 5) requiring dialysis, or renal transplant
• • organ transplantation
• • self-reported sleep duration less than 5 hours per night on weeknights (work nights)
• • current night shift work