Serum endothelial cell specific molecule-1 (endocan) levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Objective: To investigate the level of endothelial cell specific molecule-1 (endocan) in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods: Study group included subjects with OSA. Control group included subjects who had no OSA on polysomnography and nonobese healthy subjects from population who had no OSA symptoms. Endocan levels of OSA and non-OSA subjects were compared. Results: Totally 106 individuals (63 OSA, 43 non-OSA) were included. Endocan levels were higher in OSA subjects than controls (1.25 ± 0.4 ng/ml vs 0.93 ± 0.3 ng/ml, p < 0.001). Endocan levels were correlated with BMI (r = 0.456, p < 0.001) and daytime PaO 2 (r = -0.266, p < 0.042). In linear regression analysis there was no factor related to endocan level. Conclusion: Serum endocan is significantly higher in OSA. Further studies should be performed to better understand the relationship between endocan and OSA.