To explore the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).
Approach:
Study Design: Retrospective case-control study using data from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2010.
Participants: 3,235 NPC patients and 12,940 propensity score-matched controls.
Statistical Analysis: Comparison of baseline clinical and demographic parameters; conditional logistic regression model to quantify association.
Key Findings:
Higher prevalence of prior OSA in NPC group (2.07%) compared to controls (1.51%), p = 0.023.
Adjusted odds ratio for developing NPC with prior OSA is 1.42 (95% CI = 1.07, 1.89).
Similar point estimates for males (adjusted OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.03, 1.94) and females (adjusted OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 0.77, 2.78), but significance reached only in males.
Interpretation:
The study identifies an association between prior OSA diagnosis and NPC.
Limitations:
The association in females may lack significance due to smaller sample size.
Retrospective design may introduce biases.
Conclusion:
The study identifies an association between prior OSA diagnosis and NPC.
