Objective To investigate the relatingship between leptin receptor gene Gln223Arg polymorphism and obstructive sleep apnea hyponea syndrome (OSAHS) in Han population in Southwest China. Methods Two hundred and fifteen cases of subjects (including 116 cases in OSAHS group and 99 cases in control group) were selected in Han population in Southwest China. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to analyse Gln223Arg leptin receptor gene polymorphism. The levels of serum LEP and TI were determined by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Simultaneous determination of body mass index (BMI) and neck circumference (NC) and waist circumference (WC) were conducted. Results In the OSAHS group, the leptin receptor gene polymorphism Gln223Arg GG, AA and GA genotype frequency was 0.854, 0.017 and 0.129, respectively. G allele and A allele frequency frequency was 0.918 and 0.082, respectively. In the control group, leptin receptor gene polymorphisms Gln223Arg GG, AA and GA genotype frequency was 0.840, 0.020 and 0.14,respectively. G allele and A allele frequency was 0.90 and 0.10, respectively. Genotype frequencies of the two groups were not statistically significant (χ2=0.784, P>0.05). There were differences in BMI, WC and NC between the OSAHS patients with GG and the OSAHS patients with (GA+AA) genotype (P<0.05), but no difference was found in LEP and TI levels (allP>0.05). In control, mild, moderate and severe OSAHS group, the levels of serum LEP and TI were increased gradually, and the difference was statistically significant (allP<0.05). Conclusions Gln223Arg leptin receptor genotype polymorphisms may be involved in obesity, but they have no relationship with the incidence of OSAHS in Han population in Southwest China. In OSAHS patients, Gln223Arg polymorphism has no relationship with LEP or TI. Patients with OSAHS have hyperleptinemia and hyperinsulinemia.