Objective To investigate the predictive value of neuregulin 4 (Nrg4) combined with γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in cognitive dysfunction among patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

Methods A total of 169 patients with severe OSAHS were selected as study subjects and divided into normal cognitive function group (n=89) and cognitive dysfunction group (n=80) based on cognitive function assessment results.General information of the patients was collected, and the levels of Nrg4 and GABA were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive value of Nrg4 and GABA for cognitive dysfunction in OSAHS patients.

Results The proportions of patients with a history of hypertension and diabetes, as well as the levels of diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly higher in the cognitive dysfunction group than those in the normal cognitive function group (P < 0.05). The levels of Nrg4 and GABA were significantly lower in the cognitive dysfunction group than in the normal cognitive function group (P < 0.05). The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score in the cognitive dysfunction group was significantly lower than that in the normal cognitive function group(12.36±2.35)versus (28.25±1.02), P < 0.05. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that a history of hypertension and diabetes, diastolic blood pressure, TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C were risk factors for cognitive dysfunction in patients with severe OSAHS (P < 0.05), while Nrg4, GABA, and MoCA scores were protective factors (P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that combined detection of Nrg4 and GABA had a higher predictive value for cognitive dysfunction in patients with severe OSAHS compared with either marker alone (P < 0.05).

Conclusion A history of hypertension and diabetes, diastolic blood pressure, TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, Nrg4, GABA, and MoCA scores are all factors influencing cognitive dysfunction in patients with severe OSAHS. Combined detection of Nrg4 and GABA can effectively predict cognitive dysfunction in these patients.