Obstructive sleep apnea and the risk of mortality in patients with lung cancer: a meta-analysis

Purpose Prior reports have examined the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the mortality rate of lung cancer. However, the findings remain controversial. The present meta-analysis was performed to assess the relationship between OSA and increased risk of mortality in patients with lung cancer. Methods PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were systematically searched for the correlative studies. Data were analyzed and pooled to evaluate odds ratios (ORs) of lung cancer mortality related to OSA. Results From 249 identified studies, 3 met inclusion criteria and were analyzed, including 67 patients with lung cancer and comorbid OSA and 45 patients with lung cancer and no OSA. The meta-analysis indicated that OSA was not significantly correlated with mortality rate in lung cancer (OR = 2.005, 95% CI = 0.703 to 5.715, z = 1.30, p = 0.193). There was no significant publication bias according to Begg’s tests ( p = 0.296) and Egger’s tests ( p = 0.097). Conclusion This meta-analysis suggests that OSA is not significantly correlated with the mortality rate in lung cancer.