TYPE IV COLLAGEN AS A BIOMARKER OF THE ESOPHAGEAL MUCOSA DAMAGE IN PATIENTS WITH GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE AND OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA/HYPOPNEA SYNDROME

Background. Obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) seems to have negative effect on the state of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Aim: to evaluate plasma levels of type IV collagen as a potential biomarker of esophageal mucosa damage in patients with GERD accompanied by OSAHS. Material and methods. A total of 120 patients were examined: 29 persons with GERD, 35 – with GERD and OSAHS, 30 – with OSAHS, 26 persons – the comparison group. Respiratory monitoring and esophagogastroduodenoscopy were performed. Plasma level of type IV collagen was evaluated in 80 patients by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. Patients with erosive esophagitis had higher plasma levels of type IV collagen then patients with nonerosive esophagitis and those of the comparison group. Patients with GERD accompanied by OSAHS had higher plasma levels of type IV collagen in comparison with those who had GERD without OSAHS. Conclusions. OSAHS has negative impact on the state of esophageal mucosa in patients with GERD which leads to an increase in type IV collagen concentration in plasma.