Detection and clinical significance of serum IL-35 and IL-37 levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome

Objective To observe the changes of serum IL-35 and IL-37 levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and to explore their clinical significance. Methods A total of 69 patients with OSAHS in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2018 to April 2019 were selected in this study. According to the condition of OSAHS, the patients were divided into the mild group (26 cases), moderate group (20 cases) and severe group (23 cases). In addition, 21 healthy volunteers were selected as the control group. The serum levels of IL-35 and IL-37 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the relationship between them and the severity of the disease was analyzed. Results The level of serum IL-35 in moderate and severe OSAHS patients was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and gradually increased with the aggravation of the disease. The level of IL-35 in severe OSAHS patients was significantly higher than that in mild OSAHS patients (P<0.05). The serum level of IL-37 in patients with mild, moderate and severe OSAHS was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and gradually increased with the aggravation of the disease. The level of IL-37 in the severe group was significantly higher than that in the mild and moderate group (P<0.05). The serum levels of IL-35 and IL-37 were positively correlated with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (r=0.961, r=0.928, P<0.01), and negatively correlated with LSaO₂ (r=-0.999, r=-0.991, P<0.01). Conclusions Serum levels of IL-35 and IL-37 are significantly increased in OSAHS patients. They are correlated with the occurrence and development of OSAHS, and can reflect the degree of OSAHS conditions.