Luyster FS, et al. – A comparison was pursued of the sleep apnea (SA) risk in retired National Football League (NFL) players to a community cohort (CARDIA Sleep study). In addition, it gauged the link between SA risk and cardiovascular risk factors, with the inclusion of subclinical atherosclerosis. Based on the data, it was concluded that the retired NFL players displayed a greater prevalence of high SA risk. It also exhibited a similar prevalence of coronary artery calcium (CAC) compared with a well–matched community cohort.

Methods

• Retired NFL players (n=122) were enrolled for this study.
• They were matched to CARDIA Sleep candidates by age ±2 years (range 37-55 years), body mass index ±2 kg/m², race, and male sex.
• The enrollees underwent electron-beam computed tomography to estimate coronary artery calcium (CAC) and completed the Berlin Questionnaire to determine SA risk.
• The presence of CAC was defined as an Agatston score >0.

Results

• Retired NFL players displayed a greater prevalence of high SA risk than the matched CARDIA Sleep participants (27% vs 11.5%, P=0.002).
• The retired players were less likely to smoke, and reported higher blood pressure, lower fasting glucose levels, and higher cholesterol levels, compared to the CARDIA Sleep participants.
• No variation, however, was found in the prevalence of detectable CAC (30% vs 30%, P=1).
• SA risk did not exhibit a prominent link with CAC after controlling for age, race, and body mass index, in both players and the community cohort.