Heart rate variability in adults with obstructive sleep apnea: a systematic review

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a common respiratory disorder characterized by recurrent nocturnal episodes of normal breathing interruption due to upper airway total or partial collapse. Obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular diseases has similar risk factors, but the first is also a predisposing factor for cardiovascular pathologies independently of individuals demographic characteristics or risk markers. Heart rate variability is a non-invasive method to evaluate the regulation of autonomic nervous system and its a promising marker for health and disease, such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The aim was to review whether heart rate variability is altered in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. We searched in five databases, including BIREME, Cochrane, Scholar Google, MEDLINE/PubMed and Periodics CAPES, and reference lists were also searched. Only cross-sectional studies comparing the heart rate variability of obstructive sleep patients with controls were included. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed trial quality. Twelve studies (513 participants with obstructive sleep apnea and 340 controls) met the inclusion criteria. This review evidence that adults with obstructive sleep apnea may demonstrate diminished vagal tone and higher sympathetic responsiveness.

Autonomic Nervous System - Heart Rate - Sleep Apnea - Obstructive

INTRODUCTION

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common respiratory disorder characterized by the presence of 15 or more obstructive episodes per hour of sleep or, at least, five obstructive events added to clinical features as sleep fragmentation, hypoxemia, hypercapnia and sympathetic hyperactivity¹. In adults, OSA prevalence estimates of 3-7%, differing between genders². Approximately 4% of men would meet the criteria for OSA diagnosis, such as apnea-hyperpnoea index (AHI ≥ 5) and daytime hyper somnolence, while women only 2%³. Recurrent events of normal breathing interruption due to upper airway total or partial collapse during sleep diminish life quality of OSA patients[4] ^, [5].

Hypoxia and hypercapnia during recurrent obstructive episodes are suggested as main cause of altered autonomic nervous system (ANS) in OSA condition[6], once autonomic regulation relies on baroreceptors and quimioreceptors, which can perceive biochemical modifications in PCO2 and pH[7]. During obstructive events, those hypoxia and hypercapnia episodes can modulate ANS from OSA patients by increasing sympathetic tonus and responsiveness, which can contribute for sympathovagal imbalance and, in consequence, for dysautonomia[8].

To evaluate ANS integrity in those patients, heart rate variability (HRV) can be used. HRV is non-invasive method that represents beat-to-beat oscillations and it's considered a measure of neurocardiac function that reflects ANS dynamics[9]. Lower HRV is observed in several cardiovascular and respiratory diseases such as hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease[10] ^, [11], which demonstrates abnormal adaptability of ANS in those patients. Since OSA can altered ANS function by biochemical changes, this study aimed to investigate in the adult population and non-hospital based whether heart rate variability is altered in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

METHODS

This systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA[12] statement to identify all relevant publications reporting patients with obstructive sleep apnea and measures of HRV before 2018. This review was also registered at PROSPERO (International prospective register of systematic review) under CRD42019121413.

Criteria for considering studies for this review

Types of studies: only case-control studies that compared heart rate variability in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and healthy controls at rest, either awake or sleeping.

Types of participants: adult individuals and non-hospital based with obstructive sleep apnea, without any surgical intervention for obstructive sleep apnea.

Types of interventions: there were no interventions, only observational studies were accepted at this review.

Types of outcomes measures: cardiac measures including evaluation of heart rate variability.

Primary outcomes: altered linear and non-linear parameters of heart rate variability indicating autonomic dysfunction/dysautonomia.

Secondary outcomes: altered respiratory measures, such as respiratory frequency.

Search methods for identification of studies

Five electronic databases were searched (last search date: January 19, 2018) including BIREME, MEDLINE, Periódicos CAPES, The Cochrane Library and Scholar Google. To ensure that all potential articles were included, an extensive set of search terms was used for describe the heart rate variability measure (eg, electrocardiography, arterial pulse, heart rate, heart rate variability, hrv, autonomic nervous system, parasympathetic nervous system, sympathetic nervous system, vagus nerve, cardio-autonomic) combined with obstructive sleep apnea terms (eg, apnea, obstructive sleep, osahs, obstructive sleep apnea, sleep apnea syndrome, sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome, sleep apnea syndrome, obstructive syndrome, sleep apnea obstructive syndrome, upper airway resistance sleep apnea, upper airway resistance sleep apnea syndrome).

There were no considerations for date of publication, but the limitation for language was English, Spanish and Portuguese because of lack available resources for translation. The search outputs were managed using EndNote Web. In the search string, the results were limited to all articles published up to January 2018.

Data collection and analysis

Selection of studies

Two authors examined the reference lists of identified articles and selected independently the potentially relevant studies for full text reading. At the full text reading phase, the reviewers also independently evaluate the studies based on eligibility criteria of the population, study design and outcomes. There was no disagreement between the two authors at inclusion or exclusion of studies. Any disagreement would be solved by a third reviewer.

To be included in this review, the studies had to evaluate HRV in adults with obstructive sleep apnea and compare them with healthy controls. Exclusion criteria were:

a. Cardiac measures without heart rate variability;

b. Performed research on unconscious participants (eg, anesthetized participants);

c. Sample size < 10 participants for each group; and

d. HRV measures were performed only after an intervention.

A flowchart of the selection process is included as [Figure 1].

Figure 1 Flowchart of study selection. n=number.

Data extraction and management

Publications reporting survey data at the same location and period were carefully examined to avoid duplicate information. Data was independently extracted from each article. The variables extracted were: (a) country where the study was performed; (b) inclusion criteria for OSA; (c) sample characteristics; (d) HRV measurement data. Data extracted from the studies were presented at [Table 1] and [Table 2]. The first one show the variables extracted from the participants and the last one demonstrate the type of HRV measurement and respective results.

Table 1

Evidence table for the included studies.

Study	Country	Inclusion criteria	Sleep Apnea Severity Classification	Associated comorbidities and medications taken
Noda et al., 1998[14]	Japan	Only males with PSG findings of OSA	Mild OSA: AHI < 20	Obesity and hypertension without cardiovascular and respiratory complications.
			Severe OSA: AHI > 20
Wiklund et al., 2000[17]	Sweden	Adults with snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness who underwent PSG	AHI > 5 in combination with snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness	Hypertension being treated with diuretic and/or ACE inhibitor
Aydin et al., 2004[18]	USA	Newly diagnosed male patients	Mild OSA: AHI < 20	Free of any other known diseases and receiving no medication
			Severe OSA: AHI > 20
Wakai et al., 2004[16]	Japan	Adults with sleep disturbance who underwent PSG	Mild OSA: 10 <AHI < 30	NR
			Severe OSA: AHI > 30
Chrysostomakis et al., 2006[19]	Greece	Adults with documented moderate or severe OSA	AHI per hour: 58 ± 24	NR, but all co-morbidities known to affect HRV were excluded and on currently medication with cardioactive drugs, hypnotics or drugs affecting sleep
Coruzzi et al., 2006[20]	Italy	Adults with OSA symptoms for diagnostic PSG	AHI per hour: 18.2 ± 2	Free of any other known diseases and receiving no medication
Aytemir et al., 2007[21]	Turkey	Consecutive patients referred to laboratory for clinically suspected OSA	AHI per hour: 25 ± 17	Hypertension and use of ACE inhibitor and CCB
			OSA: AHI > 5
Zhu et al., 2012[22]	France	Adults with snoring or any clinical suspicion of OSA who underwent PSG	AHI per hour: 65 ± 23	Free of cardiac arrhythmia or atrioventricular conduction disorder on Holter recording. Medications were not reported.
			OSA: AHI > 30/h
Chang et al., 2013[24]	Korea	Untreated male patients with severe OSA	AHI per hour: 60.3 ± 21.2	Free of any other known diseases and receiving no psychotropic medications
			All patients had severe OSA: > 30
Kim et al., 2015[23]	Korea	Males with OSA from a retrospective review of patients who undergone PSG	OSA: AHI > 15	Free of any other known diseases and receiving no medications
Palma et al., 2015[25]	Spain	Consecutive patients recruited from Sleep Unity undergoing diagnostic PSG	Severe OSA, AHI per hour: 55.8 ± 16.5	Free of any other known diseases and receiving no medications
			Moderate OSA, AHI per hour: 26.6 ± 1.8
Xie et al., 2017[15]	China	Patients with OSA from a retrospective review of those who undergone PSG	Mild-moderate OSA:	Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hepatopathy, smoking and drinking history and cardiovascular disease manifestations were included
			5 < AHI< 30
			Severe OSA: AHI > 30

ACE=angiotensin-converting enzyme; AHI=apnea-hypopnea index; CCB=calcium channel blocker; HRV=heart rate variability; OSA=obstructive sleep apnea; PSG=polysomnography.

Table 2

Sample characteristics from included studies.

Study	Obstructive sleep apnea			Controls
	Number	Age	Gender	Number	Age	Gender
Noda et al., 1998[14] =	18	55.9 (43 - 76)	18 ♂	10	53.2 (45 - 65)	10 ♂
Wiklund et al., 2000[17]	51	52 (30 - 75)	12 ♀, 39 ♂	66	52 (30 - 76)	32 ♀, 34 ♂
Aydin et al., 2004[18] ┼	36	NA	36 ♂	24	43.58 + 7.6	24 ♂
Wakai et al., 2004[16] ¥	36	NA	NA	19	53.2 + 11.6	10 ♀, 9 ♂
Chrysostomakis et al., 2006[19] ╧	31	49.2 ± 7.6	8 ♀, 18 ♂	19	51.6 + 9.6	8 ♀,11 ♂
Coruzzi et al., 2006[20]	10	48 ± 10	4 ♀, 6 ♂	10	42 + 8	5 ♀, 5 ♂
Aytemir et al., 2007[21]	45	51 ± 9	11 ♀, 34 ♂	24	50 + 9	5 ♀, 19 ♂
Zhu et al., 2012[22]	23	45 ± 8	8 ♀, 15 ♂	23	45 + 15	9 ♀, 14 ♂
Chang et al., 2013[24]	13	49.8 ± 7	13 ♂	13	46 + 9.4	13 ♂
Kim et al., 2015[23]	83	40.43 ± 9.92	83 ♂	81	38.69 + 10.03	81 ♂
Palma et al., 2015[25] ╫	30	NA	NA	20	51.2 + 11.8	5 ♀, 15 ♂
Xie et al., 2017[15] ╤	137	NA	NA	31	48 + 13.24	4 ♀, 27 ♂

Data are reported as mean + SD (range). =Recruited patients allocated in two groups: severe OSAS (n=10) and mild OSAS (n=8). ┼Recruited patients allocated in two groups: severe OSAS (n=19; age 44.15 ± 8.3) and mild OSAS (n=17, age 47.17 ± 9.4). ¥OSA patients divided in two groups: severe OSAS (n=19; age 47.3 ± 13.3, gender 1 ♀, 18 ♂) and mild OSAS (n=17, age 54.8 ± 8.8, gender 2 ♀, 15 ♂). ╧OSA patients had different severity OSA classification: severe OSA (n=21) and mild OSA (n=5). ╫Recruited patients allocated in two groups: moderate OSA (n=16; age 51.8 ± 13.4, gender 3 ♀, 13 ♂) and severe OSA (n=14; age 52.3 ± 11.9, gender 3 ♀, 11 ♂). ╤Recruited patients allocated in two groups: severe OSA (n=82; age 50.6 ± 12.28, gender 14 ♀, 68 ♂) and mild-moderate OSA (n=55; age 50.57 ± 12.02, gender 12 ♀, 43 ♂). ♀, female; ♂, male; NA, not applicable; NR, not reported.

Assessment of risk of bias in included studies

The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale for Cross-sectional studies[13] was used for the assessment of bias. This scale includes three domains: selection, comparability and exposure. The assessment strategy of cross-sectional studies relies on the number of stars at each topic, so that selection can obtain 5 stars at maximum; comparability, 2 stars; and outcome, 3 stars.

RESULTS

Description of studies

First, the research identified a total of 2,335 studies. Of this 2,335, 273 studies were removed as duplicates and after title and abstract reading, 26 studies were selected, as shown at [Figure 1]. After full text reading, 12 studies were included at this review. Excluded studies were due to absence of full text available, control group for comparison and reduced sample number.

Studies characteristics

From literature research, twelve cross-sectional studies were included, including a sample size of 513 OSA patients with different severity levels and 340 controls for comparison. The earliest study was from 1998[14] and the latest, 2017[15]. Those studies were from several different countries, such as Japan[14] ^, [16], Sweden[17], USA[18], Greece[19], Italy[20], Turkey[21], France[22], Korea[23] ^, [24], Spain[25] and China[15]. Six of them had controlled for additional factors such as medications intake and comorbidities. A summary of the included studies is provided in [Table 1]. Among OSA patients and controls, the majority was male, aging over than 30 years old. Sample characteristics are shown in [Table 2]. Most of them selected 24-h Holter as method of recording[14] ^, [16] ^, [18] ^, [18] ^, [21] ^, [22], but electrocardiogram (ECG)[17] ^, [20] ^, [24] and polysomnography (PSG)[15] ^, [23] ^, [25] recording were also used. The majority of studies used only linear methods including time and frequency domain[14] ^- [23] ^, [25], but one included non-linear measures[24]. No secondary expected outcomes were evaluated. Methodological features and HRV findings are shown in [Table 3].

Table 3

Methods of HRV measurement and obstructive sleep apnea findings.

Study	Condition of recording and data lengh for analysis	Derived HRV measures	HRV and OSA findings
Noda et al., 1998[14]	24-h Holter recordings	LF (0.04-0.15 Hz), HF (0.15-0.40 Hz), LF/HF	LF/HF ratio was elevated during sleep and daytime in patients with severe OSAS compared with patients with mild OSA and controls
Wiklund et al., 2000[17]	10 min ECG recording at supine position a day after the sleep recording	PMF (0.04-0.15 Hz), PHF(0.15-0.40 Hz), PTOT	Decreased high-frequency component in supine position in OSAS
Aydin et al., 2004[18]	24-h Holter recordings	Total power (0-0.4 Hz), ULF (0-0.0033 Hz), VLF (0.0033-0.04 Hz), LF (0.04-0.15 Hz), HF (0.15-0.40 Hz), LF/HF, SDNN, SDANN, RMSSD	SDNN and SDANN were lower in both mild and severe OSAS while RMSSD values were lower only in severe OSAS in comparison to controls. Total power, ULF, VLF, LF and LF/HF values of both groups of OSAS were higher than controls, but HF values were lower
Wakai et al., 2004[16]	24-h Holter recordings	ULF (0.0001-0.003 Hz), VLF (0.003-0.04 Hz), LF (0.04-0.15 Hz), HF (0.15-0.40 Hz)	VLF and LF during sleep was higher in severe OSA patients than mild OSAS and controls
Chrysostomakis et al., 2006[19]	24-h Holter recordings	NN, SDNN, SD, PNN50, RMSSD, SDANN	PNN50 and RMSSD were higher at night in patients with severe and moderate OSA
Coruzzi et al., 2006[20]	20 min ECG recording at supine position	RRI, LF (0.04-0.14 Hz), HF (0.15-0.50 Hz)	RRI, RRI variation and HF were higher in controls than OSA patients but LF and LF/HF ration were lower
Aytemir et al., 2007[21]	24-h Holter recordings	Total power, VLF (0-0.04 Hz), LF (0.04-0.15 Hz), HF (0.15-0.40 Hz), LF/HF, SDNN, RMSSD, pNN50	At day time, SDNN was higher in control than OSA patients. During night time, RMSSD and 24h HFnu were higher, while 24h LF and LF/HF ratio were lower in controls than OSA patients
Zhu et al., 2012[22]	24-h Holter recordings	VLF (0.003-0.04 Hz), LF (0.04-0.15 Hz), LFnu, HF (0.15-0.40 Hz), HFnu, LF/HF, SDNN, RMSSD, pNN50	Patients with severe OSA exhibited a shorter mean NN overnight
Chang et al., 2013[24]	15 min ECG recording in sitting position	LF (0.04-0.15 Hz), HF (0.15-0.40 Hz), LF/HF, RMSSD, SampEnRR	HF and SampEnRR were higher among controls, while LF and LF/HF were higher in OSA patients
Kim et al., 2015[23]	PSG recordings	TP, VLF (<0.04 Hz), LF (0.04-0.15 Hz), LFnu, HF (0.15-0.40 Hz), HFnu, LF/HF, SDNN, SDNNi, RMSSD, pNN50, TINN, HRVtri	All frequency domain parameters, except HF which was decreased, were increased in OSA patients. Among time domain parameters, all parameters were also increased in OSA group
Palma et al., 2015[25]	PSG recordings	LF (0.04-0.15 Hz), HF (0.15-0.40 Hz), LF/HF	OSA group during sleep exhibit higher LF and lower HF modulations
Xie et al., 2017[15]	PSG recordings	LF (0.04-0.15 Hz), HF (0.15-0.40 Hz), SDNN, RMSSD, pNN50	SDNN and HF were higher in controls while LF/HF was lower in comparison to OSA group

ECG=electrocardiography; HRV=heart rate variability; HRVtri=heart rate variability triangular index; HF=high frequency; HFnu=normalized units of high frequency component; LF=low frequency; LFnu=normalized units of low frequency component; LF/HF=ratio of low frequency and high frequency; OSA=obstructive sleep apnea; PHF=spectral power of the high-frequency component; PMF=spectral power of the mid-frequency component; pNN50=percentage of adjacent NN intervals; PTOT=variance of total spectral power; RMSSD=root mean squared successive difference; RRI=mean R-R interval; SampEnRR=sample entropy of R-R intervals; SDANN=stardard deviation of 5-min average NN intervals; SDNN=standard deviation of NN interval; TINN=triangular interpolation of NN intervals; T p = total power; ULF=ultralow frequency; VLF=very low frequency.

Risk of bias analysis

At selection criteria, ten studies were adequate[14] ^, [17] ^- [25] while two had higher risk of bias[15] ^, [16] ([Table 4]). At comparability score, six articles received the maximum score[18] ^, [19] ^, [21] ^, [23] ^- [25], which corresponds to control for the most important factor and also any additional factor, whereas the others didn't control for any additional factor[14] ^- [17] ^, [20] ^, [22]. Outcome assessment score evidenced that only two studies had an independent blind assessment protocol[21] ^, [22], but all studies researched had issues with the statistical analysis. The description of quality appraisal of the selected studies is shown in [Figure 2].

Table 4

Methodological quality of included studies determined by Newcastle-Ottawa scale.

Study	Selection	Comparability	Outcomes	Total
Noda et al., 1998[14]	4	1	-	5
Wiklund et al., 2000[17]	5	1	-	6
Aydin et al., 2004[18]	4	2	-	6
Wakai et al., 2004[16]	3	1	-	4
Chrysostomakis et al., 2006[19]	3	2	-	5
Coruzzi et al., 2006[20]	4	1	-	5
Aytemir et al., 2007[21]	4	2	2	8
Zhu et al., 2012[22]	4	1	2	7
Chang et al., 2013[24]	5	2	-	7
Kim et al., 2015[23]	5	2	-	7
Palma et al., 2015[25]	4	2	-	6
Xie et al., 2017[15]	3	1	-	4

Assessment strategy: selection (max. 5 stars), comparability (max. 2 stars) and outcome (max. 3 stars). Range 0-10 stars.

Figure 2 Summary of risk of bias assessment: authors judgments of each item of Newcastle-Ottawa scale for the included studies.

Heart rate variability parameters

HRV analysis comprehends linear methods and non-linear methods. The linear methods are divided in two domains: time and frequency. Variables of time domain provide information of time distribution over R-R intervals and frequency domain about power distribution[26]. Non-linear methods of HRV analysis are less explored than the linear methods, but they can provide entropy information, which is relevant in complex organisms. Six studies choose only one linear method: time domain[19] and frequency domain[14] ^, [16] ^, [17] ^, [20] ^, [25]. Both time and frequency domain measures were used in five studies[15] ^, [18] ^, [21] ^, [22] ^, [23]. The last one study used time and frequency domain and also non-linear analysis[24].

Frequency domain variables

Ultra low frequency and very low frequency

ULF and VLF components are less common in scientific literature due to lack of information in which mechanisms are involved in this phenomenon. Yet, two studies evidenced that OSA patients (582.77[18]; 17415.34 ± 14838.28[23]) have higher VLF component than controls (510.21[18]; 11827.12 ± 9464.06[23]; p < 0.05). One of them also demonstrates that ULF is lower in controls (119.05) than OSA (165.24; p < 0.05)[18].

Low-frequency HRV

LF values are derived from both sympathetic and vagal activity on the heart, but with sympathetic predominance[27]. Six studies demonstrated that controls had significant (p < 0.05) lower LF than OSA individuals [16] ^, [18] ^, [21] ^, [23] ^- [25] while four[14] ^, [15] ^, [20] ^, [22] didn't have any significant results. However, one study[17] showed different results, evidencing that OSA group (2.58 ± 0.65) had significant (p < 0.01) lower LF values than control (2.96 ± 0.53). Two studies[16] ^, [25] had no numerical data, only result description.

High-frequency HRV

HF component in HRV analysis represents vagal cardiac modulation[27], when increased is a healthy predictor. In five studies[17] ^, [18] ^, [20] ^, [24] ^, [25], OSA patients demonstrates lower HF values than controls, which indicates lesser parasympathetic predominance and a risk condition for cardiovascular events. In contrary, only one study[21] indicate that OSA patients had higher HF values (13 ± 5) than controls (8 ± 4, p = 0.001) on 24h analysis. Two studies divided OSA patients in two groups mild and severe OSA for comparison with controls, but had discrepant results[14] ^, [18]. Both studies corroborate that severe OSA patients had significant (p < 0.05[14]; p < 0.01[18]) lower HF (3.80 ± 0.57[14]; 332.50[18]) values than control group (4.50 ± 0.58[14]; 351.47[18]). Yet, in comparison to mild OSA and controls, one study[18] evidenced that patients also had lower HF than controls (341.12; p < 0.01), while the other[14] showed the opposite (4.51 ± 0.84; p < 0.05). One study[25] did not present any numerical data, only p-values, but affirmed that OSA patients had lower values of HF components. Four[15] ^, [16] ^, [22] ^, [23] other studies had non-significant results for this variable.

Low-frequency to high-frequency ratio heart rate variability

LF/HF ratio are suggested as a sympathovagal balance index, in which higher values indicates sympathetic predominance and ANS imbalance[27]. Seven studies evidenced that HF/LF was higher in OSA patients and controls[14] ^, [15] ^, [18] ^, [21] ^, [23] ^- [25]. Two studies divided OSA patients in two groups mild and severe OSA for comparison with controls[14] ^, [18]. In mild OSA, one study[14] evidenced that control group (1.30 ± 0.09) have higher LF/HF ratio than patients (1.28 ± 0.11, p < 0.05), which differ from the other study[18] that also shows a significant (p < 0.01) lower LF/HF ratio in control group (1:3) compared to OSA (1:4). Similarly, severe OSA patients had significantly (p < 0.05) higher LF/HF ratio (1.40 ± 0.10) than controls in one study[14], while the other study[18] results demonstrates lower LF/HF ratio in OSA group (1:4; p < 0.01). One study[25] didn't show any absolute values, only p-values, and affirmed that OSA participants had higher HF/LF ratio. One study[22] had non-significant results at frequency domain analysis.

Time domain variables

SDNN, SDANN and SDNNi

All of those variables are used to determine global HRV and higher values indicate an adaptable ANS. Seven studies[15] ^, [18] ^, [19] ^, [21] ^- [24] applied at least one of them for HRV analysis but three[19] ^, [22] ^, [24] of them didn't have any significant result. One study[18] divided OSA patients in two groups due to disease severity: mild and severe. Mild OSA patients had both SDNN (124.94) and SDANN (112.29) significantly lower than controls (respectively, 131.05; 126.95, p < 0.05). Identically, severe patients also had diminished SDNN (120.38) and SDANN (108.63) values than control group (p < 0.05). Two studies also corroborates with those results. One study[21] showed that, during day time, OSA individuals (89 ± 24) had lower SDNN than controls (110 ± 26, p < 0.01). Xie et al. (2017) also presented evidence in which control individuals (139.7 ± 25.1) had an increased SDNN values than OSA group (125.0 ± 28.4, p = 0.011). As an discrepant result, one study [23] indicated that OSA participants had higher SDNN (99.54 ± 34.34) and SDNNi (74.78 ± 33.78) than controls (respectively, 88.37 ± 31.34, p = 0.031; 62.40 ± 29.11, p = 0.013).

RMSSD and pNN50

Both RMSSD and pNN50 are vagal related variables and higher values correlates with parasympathetic predominance[27]. Although seven studies[15] ^, [18] ^, [19] ^, [21] ^- [24] used those variables, only three[18] ^, [19] ^, [21] had significant results in, at least, one of them. During night time recordings, one study[21] indicated that RMSSD is significantly ( p = 0.036) higher in controls participants (41 ± 18) than OSA group (32 ± 16). On severe OSA patients, other study[18] also corroborates with those findings, exhibiting that OSA (31.54) had lower RMSSD values than controls (44.16, p < 0.05). Yet, the last study had discrepant results. RMSSD was increased in OSA group (54.7 ± 23.1) than healthy participants (44.0 ± 15.9), while pNN50 was diminished in controls (13.8 ± 9.7) than patients (19.5 ± 12.5).

Geometrical measures

RRtri and TINN are calculated from a density histogram construction of normal R-R intervals and express overall variability of RR intervals[28]. Only one study[23] included these geometrical variables, but TINN results had no statistical relevance. Yet, RRtri values indicated that OSA participants (18.46 ± 6.68) was lower than controls (16.28 ± 5.64; p = 0.026), which corroborates with other time domain findings that OSA patients have diminished global HRV and vagal predominance of heart control.

Non-linear method

Entropy variables include approximate entropy (ApEn) and sample entropy (SampEn). ApEn detect the changes occurring in an experimental time series and provides a non-negative number for the series by measuring the degree of irregularity and complexity of a signal while SampEn is a measure of existing disorder in some series[29] ^, [30]. Higher values at ApEn and SampEn demonstrates that this evaluated system is more complex and, consequently, greater ANS adaptability. Only one study included entropy measures for HRV analysis[24]. This study evidenced that OSA patients (1.32 ± 0.07) have a lower mean value of SampEn than controls (1.59 ± 0.11, p = 0.001), which corroborates with ANS abnormality in those individuals.

DISCUSSION

To our knowledge this is the first systematic review involving HRV and OSA patients. This study aimed to investigate whether OSA patients have autonomic impairment evaluated by HRV analysis, including linear and non-linear methods. Although sympathetic responsiveness is well-known as disease pathophysiology, only a few studies used HRV as ANS evaluation prior to an intervention and also compared to healthy individuals. From those twelve studies included in our review, only two had higher risk of bias that could compromise this review results. Yet, these results seams reliable in both awake and sleep patients.

OSA is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD)[31] and also associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, being a predisposing factor for CVD independently of individual's demographic characteristics or risk markers[32]. Although, etiopathogenic mechanisms underlying OSA and cardiovascular risk remain unclear, ANS impairment is mostly studied[8] ^, [33].

Several physiological factors derived from recurrent upper airway obstruction can lead to autonomic dysfunction and OSA cardiovascular comorbidities. Obstructive events increased negative intrathoracic pressure and added to hypoxia cause deleterious hemodynamic consequences, such as sympathetic overactivity, augmented reactive oxygen species (ROS) and vasoactive compensatory mechanisms[31] ^- [35]. Also, duration of obstructive episode and level of oxygen desaturation determine sympathetic activity and blood pressure[35].

The majority of studies demonstrate by both time and frequency domain that OSA patients have higher sympathetic components and lower parasympathetic predominance than healthy controls. These results confirm autonomic dysfunction in those patients, but also give another therapeutical perspective. HRV assessment can be used as tool to evaluate efficacy at OSA patients' treatment due its association to autonomic impairment. Furthermore, HRV can be associated with respiratory methods to modulate ANS, such as cardiorespiratory biofeedback[36], which may positively benefit those patients.

At frequency domain analysis, VLF and ULF is mainly influenced by circadian HR differences, and cannot be estimated by short term analysis, only by 24-h Holter[37]. Increased VLF power may be associated with increased sympathetic activity[9], which was observed in OSA patients at our review[18] ^, [23]. Both components represent 95% of total power and literature suggests that those carry highest predictive value[38], being more strongly associated with overall health status than HF component[9]. Although physiological correlates of ULF and VLF is still unclear, studies with OSA patients should add those variables for analysis to identify whether those components plays a role in OSA pathophysiology.

The strengths of this systematic review include sample size number, the use of strict methodological inclusion criteria, a quality assessment of included studies and consistent results. However, some studies limitations should be pointed, including reduced number of female participants. From 848 participants, OSA and controls, 692 are male, and some studies only included male subjects. In HRV research, females are less studied for the influence of menstrual cycle on autonomic cardiac modulation[39]. Although OSA is more frequent in men than women[40], further investigation between HRV gender differences in those patients may clear if hormones are also involved in this respiratory obstructive disorder.

Several studies also include participants with associated comorbidities and with medications taken, which can affect and compromise HRV results[41], once they can influence ANS integrity. Another limitation includes different data length, device and condition of recording. These differences between studies affect the accuracy of HRV analysis[41] and, mainly, the comparison of their results. For example, long 24-hour data collection favors HRV assessment as it involves metabolism and circadian cycle, for example, and it's considered a "gold standard"[9].

This analysis will be different from shorter 20 minutes, because all those metabolic factors will not be considered. The inclusion of only observational studies can also be a limiting factor, once intervention studies add more information about cause and effect being helpful to elucidate the relationship between OSA and sympathetic responsiveness. Also, all those selected studies used AHI as sleep apnea severity classification but this index does not correlate completely with cardiovascular risk in adults.

Two cohort studies[42] ^, [43] evidenced that prediction of cardiovascular outcomes may be independent of AHI. AHI only represents the number of both apnea and hypopnea events in every hour during sleep[15], which documents the frequency of those events but not, for example, duration or magnitude of each event. Although some of those selected studies cross-data between AHI and HRV, more studies should be done to clarify if the current hypopnea definition and sleep apnea severity classification still applies as a predictor of cardiovascular risk in OSA patients[42].

On another hand, HRV can be used as a morbidity and mortality predictor, especially SDNN that is considered "gold standard" for medical stratification in 24h period of recording[44]. One review study suggests that HRV can be used to assess clinical progress and also performance gain in athletes, in a pre/post treatment protocol[44]. In OSA patients, the evaluation of dysautonomia with HRV may be a non-invasive and easy tool for prognostic overview. Finally, Periódicos CAPES database only allows a few search terms, which may influence directly the search, since not all search terms were used.

In summary, this review evidence that adults with OSA may demonstrate diminished vagal tone and higher sympathetic responsiveness, which represents a sympathetic-parasympathetic imbalance and can corroborate with dysautonomia hypothesis for OSA correlation with CVD. Alternative interventions such as cardiovascular biofeedback should be investigated in those patients to improve autonomic balance and, in consequence, ANS associated symptoms. Yet, more studies should be done to evaluate this population, especially women.

Conflict of Interests

The authors have no conflict of interests to declare.

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Publication History

Received: 29 March 2019

Accepted: 16 September 2019

Article published online:
31 October 2023