Weight reduction improves nocturnal respiration in obese sleep apnoea patients-A randomized controlled pilot study.

OBJECTIVES

Randomized controlled pilot study of the effect of weight reduction on nocturnal respiratory parameters in obese patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS).

METHODS

Twenty consecutive obese male patients fulfilling OSAS criteria at Karolinska University Hospital were randomized into two groups. Intervention with an 8-week weight reduction programme consisting of a low-calorie diet, together with group meetings, was evaluated compared to expectancy alone for the control group, followed by a crossover. Follow-up at 3 months included anthropometrics and ambulant sleep apnoea recordings.

RESULTS

Eleven of twenty men completed the protocol. There were significant differences between the intervention group (n = 6) and the control group (n = 5) in changes of weight (p < 0.01) and oxygen desaturation index (ODI4) (p < 0.05). We also found a significant positive correlation in these 11 males after the crossover between their reduction in weight and their reduction in ODI4 (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study indicates that weight reduction improves nocturnal respiration in obese OSAS patients after 3 months' dietary treatment compared to expectancy.