Low energy diets and long term improvements in OSA

January 01, 0001

Low energy diets and long term improvements in OSA

There was been some evidence that a very low energy diet improves obstructive sleep apnea in the short term. These Swedish researchers examined whether such improvements would continue in the longer term via a prospective observational follow-up study. Enrollees (n=63) were males aged 30-65 with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who were on a nine week very low energy diet, followed by a weight loss maintenance program. Every participant utilized continuous positive airway pressure.

The researchers found: "Of 63 eligible patients, 58 completed the very low energy diet period and started the weight maintenance programme and 44 completed the full programme. Fortynine had complete measurements at one year. At baseline the mean apnoea-hypopnoea index was 36 events/hour. After the very low energy diet period, apnoea-hypopnoea index was improved by -21 events/hour and weight by -18 kg. After one year the apnoea-hypopnoea index had improved by -17 events/hour and body weight by -12 kg compared with baseline. Patients with severe obstructive sleep apnoea at baseline had greater improvements in apnoea-hypopnoea index (-25 events/hour) compared with patients with moderate disease (-7 events/hour). At one year, 30/63 (48%, no longer required continuous positive airway pressure and 6/63 (10%) had total remission of obstructive sleep apnoea (apnoea-hypopnoea index <5 events/hour). There was a dose-response association between weight loss and apnoea-hypopnoea index at follow-up."

The researchers concluded: "Initial improvements in obstructive sleep apnoea after treatment with a very low energy diet can be maintained after one year in obese men with moderate to severe disease. Those who lose the most weight or have severe sleep apnoea at baseline benefit most."

Benefits of very low energy diets in obstructive sleep apnea can be maintained in the longer term.


For the full abstract, click here.

BMJ 342:d3017, 1 June 2011 © 2011 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.
Longer term effects of very low energy diet on obstructive sleep apnoea in cohort derived from randomised controlled trial: prospective observational follow-up study. Kari Johansson, Erik Hemmingsson, Richard Harlid, et al.. Correspondence to K Johansson: [email protected]

Category: R. Respiratory, T. Endocrine/Metabolic/Nutritional. Keywords: OSA, obstructive sleep apnea, obesity, weight loss, very low energy diets, prospective observational follow-up study, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Paul Schaefer, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 17 June 2011

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

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