Volume 5, Number 1, March 2008

Aminoterminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and sleep-disordered breathing in morbidly obese females: a cross-sectional study
Juan Ybarra, Francesc Planas, Jose M Pou

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is often encountered in morbid obesity (MO) in conjunction with insulin resistance (IR). Aminoterminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a promising marker for left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) in MO. We sought to explore the factors that may influence the relationships of SDB and IR with NT-proBNP in MO women.
We performed a cross-sectional pilot study involving 110 asymptomatic MO (44.5+0.7 kg/m2) young women. SDB risk was assessed using a modified version of the Berlin Questionnaire (BQ). IR was assessed using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index and adiponectin levels. LVD was assessed using NT-proBNP and echocardiograms.
In this study, NT-proBNP levels and LVD increased significantly along the BQ strata. Multiple regression analysis identified BQ and log-transformed HOMA as the independent variables predicting as much as 48.0% of the variability of logNT-proBNP.
In conclusion, NT-pro-BNP levels are independently predicted by SDB and IR in asymptomatic MO women. Larger prospective studies are warranted.

Diabetes Vasc Dis Res 2008;5:19-24.

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