Sleep-disordered breathing is increased in obese adolescents with craniopharyngioma compared with obese controls.

Context: Retrospective studies suggest that adolescents with craniopharyngioma and hypothalamic obesity have increased sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to compare the prevalence of SDB in adolescents with craniopharyngioma-related obesity compared with body mass index (BMI)-matched controls and to explore possible relationships between SDB, insulin resistance, and adipocytokines.
Design: This was a cross-sectional study of obese craniopharyngioma and obese control adolescents.
Setting: Subjects were evaluated in the clinical investigation unit at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto.
Patients: Fifteen patients with craniopharyngioma-related obesity and 15 BMI-matched controls were recruited and tested.
Interventions: Each subject underwent fasting blood work, frequent sampled iv glucose tolerance test, polysomnography, and abdominal magnetic resonance imaging with calculation of visceral and sc adipose tissue.
Main Outcome Measures: Main measures included insulin sensitivity, sleep efficiency, and fragmentation.
Results: Insulin sensitivity was lower in craniopharyngioma subjects compared with control subjects (0.96 +/- 0.34 vs. 1.67 +/- 0.7, P = 0.01). Sleep-onset latency (19.3 +/- 27.8 vs. 31.9 +/- 23.4, P = 0.03) and oxygen saturations (rapid eye movement sleep: 89.0 +/- 5.1 vs. 94.2 +/- 2.3, P < 0.001; non-rapid eye movement sleep: 88.4 +/- 5.6 vs. 94.3 +/- 1.5, P < 0.001) were lower in craniopharyngioma. Obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (OAHI) (7.5 +/- 9.0 vs. 1.5 +/- 1.5, P = 0.03) was higher in craniopharyngioma. Respiratory distress index and OAHI correlated negatively with adiponectin concentrations (r = -0.61, P = 0.03, r = -0.71, P = 0.006, respectively) in craniopharyngioma. On multiple regression, TNF-alpha and craniopharyngioma were independent positive predictors of sleep-onset latency and adiponectin and craniopharyngioma were significant predictors (negative and positive, respectively) of OAHI.
Conclusions: SDB is increased in adolescents with craniopharyngioma-related obesity compared with BMI-matched controls. Routine polysomnography should be considered in obese patients with craniopharyngioma and appropriate treatment initiated.