The association of the non-HDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol ratio (NHHR) with obstructive sleep apnea among adults aged ≥ 40 years: results from NHANES 2015–2018

Abstract Background The ratio of the non-HDL-cholesterol to HDL- cholesterol (NHHR) is a newly proposed lipid metric. Currently, few studies have explored the relationship between NHHR and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among middle-aged and elderly people. This study aims to investigate the potentia...

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Main Authors: Lvao Chen, Jiuming Chen, Shikai Chen, Yingchao Cui
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Public Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23274-2
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author Lvao Chen
Jiuming Chen
Shikai Chen
Yingchao Cui
author_facet Lvao Chen
Jiuming Chen
Shikai Chen
Yingchao Cui
author_sort Lvao Chen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The ratio of the non-HDL-cholesterol to HDL- cholesterol (NHHR) is a newly proposed lipid metric. Currently, few studies have explored the relationship between NHHR and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among middle-aged and elderly people. This study aims to investigate the potential association between NHHR and OSA. Methods This study included participants from the NHANES 2015–2018 cycles, focusing exclusively on individuals aged 40 and above. OSA data were estimated based on questionnaire responses. NHHR was estimated as the ratio of non-HDL-C to HDL-C. Multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for covariates, subgroup analysis, and smoothing spline fittings were utilized to assess the link between NHHR and OSA. Results A total of 5,858 participants were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression highlighted a statistically significant positive relationship between NHHR and OSA [OR 1.06 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.11), p = 0.0053]. As NHHR increased by tertiles, the risk of OSA also showed an upward trend. Subgroup and interaction analyses confirmed the overall association was robust across most confounding factors except for gender and diabetes status. Further nonlinear analyses identified a significant inverted U-shaped curve (p-nonlinearity < 0.05) with peak risk at an NHHR of 5.3. This pattern was particularly evident in males (turning point = 3.97) and diabetics (turning point = 5.61). Conclusion From 2015 to 2018, among the NHANES population aged over 40, NHHR showed a significant and independent positive association with OSA risk. The consistency of this relationship across various subgroups suggests NHHR’s potential as a complementary biomarker for metabolic risk assessment in OSA.
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spelling doaj-art-b86b74fd0138478e873bc5fbe157c7bc2025-08-20T02:00:00ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-05-0125111010.1186/s12889-025-23274-2The association of the non-HDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol ratio (NHHR) with obstructive sleep apnea among adults aged ≥ 40 years: results from NHANES 2015–2018Lvao Chen0Jiuming Chen1Shikai Chen2Yingchao Cui3Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. NoDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. NoDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. NoDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. NoAbstract Background The ratio of the non-HDL-cholesterol to HDL- cholesterol (NHHR) is a newly proposed lipid metric. Currently, few studies have explored the relationship between NHHR and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among middle-aged and elderly people. This study aims to investigate the potential association between NHHR and OSA. Methods This study included participants from the NHANES 2015–2018 cycles, focusing exclusively on individuals aged 40 and above. OSA data were estimated based on questionnaire responses. NHHR was estimated as the ratio of non-HDL-C to HDL-C. Multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for covariates, subgroup analysis, and smoothing spline fittings were utilized to assess the link between NHHR and OSA. Results A total of 5,858 participants were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression highlighted a statistically significant positive relationship between NHHR and OSA [OR 1.06 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.11), p = 0.0053]. As NHHR increased by tertiles, the risk of OSA also showed an upward trend. Subgroup and interaction analyses confirmed the overall association was robust across most confounding factors except for gender and diabetes status. Further nonlinear analyses identified a significant inverted U-shaped curve (p-nonlinearity < 0.05) with peak risk at an NHHR of 5.3. This pattern was particularly evident in males (turning point = 3.97) and diabetics (turning point = 5.61). Conclusion From 2015 to 2018, among the NHANES population aged over 40, NHHR showed a significant and independent positive association with OSA risk. The consistency of this relationship across various subgroups suggests NHHR’s potential as a complementary biomarker for metabolic risk assessment in OSA.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23274-2Non-high density lipoprotein cholesterolHigh density lipoprotein cholesterolObstructive sleep apneaMiddle-agedElderly
spellingShingle Lvao Chen
Jiuming Chen
Shikai Chen
Yingchao Cui
The association of the non-HDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol ratio (NHHR) with obstructive sleep apnea among adults aged ≥ 40 years: results from NHANES 2015–2018
BMC Public Health
Non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol
High density lipoprotein cholesterol
Obstructive sleep apnea
Middle-aged
Elderly
title The association of the non-HDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol ratio (NHHR) with obstructive sleep apnea among adults aged ≥ 40 years: results from NHANES 2015–2018
title_full The association of the non-HDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol ratio (NHHR) with obstructive sleep apnea among adults aged ≥ 40 years: results from NHANES 2015–2018
title_fullStr The association of the non-HDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol ratio (NHHR) with obstructive sleep apnea among adults aged ≥ 40 years: results from NHANES 2015–2018
title_full_unstemmed The association of the non-HDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol ratio (NHHR) with obstructive sleep apnea among adults aged ≥ 40 years: results from NHANES 2015–2018
title_short The association of the non-HDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol ratio (NHHR) with obstructive sleep apnea among adults aged ≥ 40 years: results from NHANES 2015–2018
title_sort association of the non hdl cholesterol to hdl cholesterol ratio nhhr with obstructive sleep apnea among adults aged ≥ 40 years results from nhanes 2015 2018
topic Non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol
High density lipoprotein cholesterol
Obstructive sleep apnea
Middle-aged
Elderly
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23274-2
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