Relationship of True Insulin and Proinsulin to Body Fat Distribution in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome

Objective: To study the relationship between serum true insulin (TI), proinsulin(PI) and the body fat distribution in patients with obstructive sleep apnea- hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Methods: Seventy-two OSAHS patients were divided into three groups, mild group, moderate group and severe group according to apnea hypopnea index (AHI), meanwhile 15 healthy people were selected as control group. The serum levels of TI, PI and body mass index(BMI), waist circumference (WC), neck circumference(NC) were detected in four groups. Results: The levels of PI and TI were higher in OSAHS group than those of control group, and there were significant differences between four groups(P 0.05). The results of Pearson analysis indicat- ed that the levels of TI and PI were positively correlated with BMI, WC and NC in OSAHS patients. Conclusion: Both serum levels of TI and PI were correlated to body fat distribution in OSAHS patients.