Biomarkers for Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a substantial medical problem with significant morbidity, both in the pediatric population and in adults. The gold standard for diagnosis and assessment of response to treatment has been overnight polysomnography. However, it is costly, time-consuming, and inconvenient to the patients. Thus, there is an emerging need for markers that would identify patients with OSA, especially those at risk for complications who require closer surveillance and more aggressive treatment. In recent years, a large number of studies have been conducted to search for the ideal biomarker in the blood and other body fluids, mainly urine, saliva, and exhaled breath. We present a literature review of current literature on biomarkers of OSA. We conclude that the ideal sole biomarker has not been found yet, but several markers have the potential to serve as screening tools; an array of markers, as well as analysis of epigenetic factors, could serve in diagnosis and in tailoring the best specific treatment for the single patient.