We subsequently constructed a diagnostic model that accurately distinguished between OSA and control samples based on four hypoxia-related genes: AREG, ATF3, ZFP36, and DUSP1. AREG, a member of the epidermal growth factor family (35), is an autocrine growth factor and mitogen for astrocytes, Schwann cells, and fibroblasts (36). This evidence concerns the gene ATF3 and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.