Obstructive sleep apnea and visceral adiposity index: A cross-sectional study of the NHANES 2015–2020

Abstract

Abstract Background Evidence indicates that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is related to the Visceral adiposity index (VAI). Our study aimed to assess theassociation between VAI and OSA based on a cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2015 and 2020. MethodsWe used weighted multivariable logistic regression models with subgroup analysis to explore the relationship between VAI and OSA. A nonlinear association was tested using generalized additive models. To calculate the inflection point, we constructed a two-part linear regression model and applied a recursive algorithm. Results The study enrolled 4816 American participants. The regression model, after adjusting for all confounding variables, showed that the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for the correlation between VAI and OSA was 1.01 (0.97, 1.05), indicating no statistically significant association. In spite of this, the linear trend test showed a non-linear relationship between VAI and OSA. Based on restricted cubic splines, the odds of OSA increased with increasing VAI before the inflection point (3.7), and there was no statistically significant relationship after the inflection point. VAI and OSA were found to be nonlinear in all population subgroups except for males and those aged 40- 60. Conclusion The relationship between VAI and OSA was curvilinear. Age and gender have significant effects. The relationship was linear for men, but nonlinear for participants younger than 40 and for female.