Fibroblast growth factor 21 is an independent predictor of prevalent and incident obstructive sleep apnea.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a metabolic regulator and a potential biomarker of metabolic diseases. Limited data are available on the association between FGF21 and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is considered as a manifestation of metabolic syndrome. In the present cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, the FGF21 level was associated with OSA. This analysis of two clinical cohorts is the first to show that the FGF21 level increased significantly with OSA severity and was an independent predictor of incident OSA in Chinese adults. The circulating FGF21 level could serve as a potential serum biomarker of OSA and its comorbidities and thus aid risk evaluation and early intervention.