Exploring the Cardiometabolic Profile of Emirati Adults at Risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Findings from the United Arab Emirates Healthy Future Study
1
Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
2
MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, United Kingdom
3
Internal Medicine Department, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is increasingly recognised as a contributor to cardiometabolic morbidity; however, its prevalence and early metabolic consequences in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are not well characterised1-4. Evidence is particularly limited among young adults, in whom early cardiometabolic and renal changes may precede overt disease. This study examined the association between OSA risk and a broad range of cardiometabolic and renal biomarkers in a large cohort of young Emirati adults.
METHODS:
This cross-sectional analysis included 5,424 participants from the UAE Healthy Future Study5. OSA risk was evaluated using the STOP-Bang questionnaire and categorised as low (score 0–2) or intermediate-to-high (score ≥3). Biomarkers assessed included glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, apolipoproteins A and B, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum creatinine, and urine microalbumin. Group comparisons were conducted using t-tests and χ² tests. Multivariable linear regression models were used to assess associations, adjusted for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Sensitivity analyses excluded participants with diabetes or dyslipidaemia.
RESULTS:
Participants had a mean age of 27.5 years, and 30% were classified as having intermediate-to-high OSA risk. Higher OSA risk was associated with greater adiposity, elevated blood pressure, and an adverse cardiometabolic profile. After adjustment, intermediate-to-high OSA risk was independently associated with higher HbA1c, total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides, and ApoB, alongside lower HDL-C and ApoA (all p < 0.001). Statistically significant CRP (β = 0.14 mg/dL, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.18), serum creatinine (β = 0.11 mg/dL, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.13), and urine microalbumin (β = 3.61 mg/dL, 95% CI: 1.64, 5.60) with higher OSA risk. Sensitivity analyses yielded largely consistent findings, except for urine microalbumin.
CONCLUSIONS:
Increased OSA risk was consistently linked to adverse cardiometabolic and renal biomarkers in young adults. These findings highlight the potential value of STOP-Bang for early risk identification and underscore the need for longitudinal validation.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is increasingly recognised as a contributor to cardiometabolic morbidity; however, its prevalence and early metabolic consequences in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are not well characterised1-4. Evidence is particularly limited among young adults, in whom early cardiometabolic and renal changes may precede overt disease. This study examined the association between OSA risk and a broad range of cardiometabolic and renal biomarkers in a large cohort of young Emirati adults.
METHODS:
This cross-sectional analysis included 5,424 participants from the UAE Healthy Future Study5. OSA risk was evaluated using the STOP-Bang questionnaire and categorised as low (score 0–2) or intermediate-to-high (score ≥3). Biomarkers assessed included glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, apolipoproteins A and B, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum creatinine, and urine microalbumin. Group comparisons were conducted using t-tests and χ² tests. Multivariable linear regression models were used to assess associations, adjusted for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Sensitivity analyses excluded participants with diabetes or dyslipidaemia.
RESULTS:
Participants had a mean age of 27.5 years, and 30% were classified as having intermediate-to-high OSA risk. Higher OSA risk was associated with greater adiposity, elevated blood pressure, and an adverse cardiometabolic profile. After adjustment, intermediate-to-high OSA risk was independently associated with higher HbA1c, total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides, and ApoB, alongside lower HDL-C and ApoA (all p < 0.001). Statistically significant CRP (β = 0.14 mg/dL, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.18), serum creatinine (β = 0.11 mg/dL, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.13), and urine microalbumin (β = 3.61 mg/dL, 95% CI: 1.64, 5.60) with higher OSA risk. Sensitivity analyses yielded largely consistent findings, except for urine microalbumin.
CONCLUSIONS:
Increased OSA risk was consistently linked to adverse cardiometabolic and renal biomarkers in young adults. These findings highlight the potential value of STOP-Bang for early risk identification and underscore the need for longitudinal validation.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
