Impact of adenotonsillectomy on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in obese children with obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of adenotonsillectomy (T&A) in obese children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and to compare changes in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels before and 6 months after T&A in obese children with OSA.

STUDY DESIGN: Before and after study with planned data collection.

SETTING: Tertiary care, university-based pediatric hospital.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seventy-five obese children with OSA were included. Clinical information such as the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), nadir oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO(2)), and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. The hs-CRP level was determined before T&A and at the 6-month follow-up examination.

RESULTS: Reductions in AHI (21.96 ± 9.277 before T&A vs 8.64 ± 5.997 after 6 months of T&A) and higher levels of nadir SaO(2) (74.08 ± 7.860 before T&A vs 86.87 ± 5.586 after 6 months of T&A) were observed. The hs-CRP levels were obviously correlated with BMI (r = 0.7948, P < .001). Other than AHI (r = 0.0579, P = .6217) in obese children, however, hs-CRP levels showed no changes 6 months after T&A therapy.

CONCLUSION: T&A treatment improves clinical signs and symptoms in obese children but does not reduce chronic inflammation as reflected by hs-CRP. To lower the risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus morbidity, other treatments should be taken into account.