Association of volatile organic compounds exposure with the risk of obstructive sleep apnea among middle-aged men: data from KNHANES 2020-2021 study population

This study aimed to investigate the associations of the volatile organic compound (VOC) exposure with the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A total of 373 middle-aged men (aged 40−64 years) were selected from the 2020−2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The risk of OSA was assessed using a STOP-Bang questionnaire. A total of nine VOCs were measured using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Multinomial logistic regression models were performed, adjusting for potential confounders. A total of 55 individuals with severe OSA, 171 individuals with moderate OSA, and 147 individuals with mild OSA were included. Compared to the lowest tertile of urinary VOCs metabolites, the highest tertile of six urinary VOC metabolites were positively associated with severe OSA (Odds ratio [OR] ranged from 2.76 to 13.52, all P<0.05). Our findings suggest that exposure to VOCs was significantly associated with an increased risk of OSA in middle-aged men.