Table 1.

Evidence on OSAHS-Induced as

Type	Conclusion (References)
Direct	Patients with OSAHS have early signs of AS.45,61
	OSA treatment significantly improves early signs of AS.46
	There was a significant relationship between OSAHS severity and coronary atherosclerotic plaque volume.47
	Coronary heart disease incidence is higher in patients with OSAHS than in non-OSAHS individuals.48,49
	OSAHS contributes to ischemic stroke development.50–52
	OSAHS induces endothelial diastolic dysfunction.55
	OSAHS directly affects the vascular endothelium by promoting inflammation and oxidative stress while decreasing NO availability and repair capacity.56
	OSAHS induces EC apoptosis.57
	OSAHS changes EPC volume, suggesting EC damage.59,60
Indirect	OSAHS promotes hypertension occurrence.67–69
	OSAHS promotes obesity occurrence.17,70
	OSAHS promotes dyslipidemia occurrence.40,145,146
	OSAHS is associated with an increased risk of diabetes.76,77,154

Abbreviations: OSAHS, Obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome; AS, Atherosclerosis; EPC, Endothelial progenitor cell; EC, Epithelial cell.