Sleep Apnea May Increase Osteoporosis Risk

People with sleep apnea are more likely to develop high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. But a new study finds that this common breathing disorder could also increase their risk of developing osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease. The study took place in Taiwan. Researchers examined the medical records of close to 1,400 people diagnosed with sleep apnea from 2000 to 2008. Over the next 6 years, they kept track of how many in this group were diagnosed with osteoporosis compared to a group of over 20,000 who did not have sleep apnea. Those with sleep apnea were 2.7 times more likely to get osteoporosis. The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. HealthDay News reported on it April 15.