Original articles
Analysis of Factors Affecting the Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Patients on CPAP
2022 Volume 115 Issue 11 Pages 981-987
Details
2022 Volume 115 Issue 11 Pages 981-987
While obesity is one of the most important risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), patients who are not obese can also develop OSA. This study was conducted to explore which factors might have the greatest effect in reducing the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) in patients with OSA. We investigated the body mass index (BMI), visceral fat area, tonsillar size, soft palate position, and cephalometric parameters in patients with OSA.
A total of 179 adult male Japanese OSA patients were recruited. The average age of the patiens was 56.7±12.7 years, the mean AHI was 47.7± 21.1 events/hr, and the mean BMI was 27.1±4.8 kg/m2.
The OSA patients were divided into three groups according to their BMI (BMI < 25 kg/m2, 25 kg/m2 < BMI < 30 kg/m2, BMI > 30 kg/m2). The MP-H and PNS-P were statistically significantly lower in the group with BMI < 25 kg/m2. The BMI and tonsillar size were statistically significantly greater in the group with BMI > 30 kg/m2. After controlling for BMI, only MP-H and tonsillar size were identified as statistically significant factors (P < 0.05).
This study revealed relationships between the OSA severity and some parameters. The AHI could be improved by weight loss in OSA patients with obesity, but not in OSA patients without severe obesity (including pre-obesity) can not improve AHI by losing weight.
