Can the devices used to treat obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome increase the tendency to gain weight?

Abstract:

Objective: This study investigated the effects of device treatments on weight changes in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) patients.

Methods: The study included 256 patients who underwent polysomnography to evaluate snoring and suspected OSAS. They were grouped according to the apnoea hypopnoea index (AHI) and device usage for OSAS as follows: Group 1 included patients who were established with OSAS diagnosis and used device for treatment purpose (n=101); Group 2 included patients who were established with OSAS diagnosis but could not adapt to the devices recommended for medical purposes (n=76); and Group 3 included patients who were established with ordinary snoring diagnosis but did not have OSAS, (n=79). Group 1 used CPAP, Auto CPAP, or BiPap. For all groups, BMI and neck circumference data were obtained from sleep centre records (baseline values) and invited to visit again for followup measurements in otolaryngology outpatient clinic (control values).

Results: In Group 1, both BMI and neck circumference were increased at follow-up compared with the baseline measurements (p<0.05) while no significant change was detected in the other two groups (p>0.05). The BMI and neck circumference did not differ among the devices used in Group 1 (CPAP, Auto CPAP, and BiPap) (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Devices used to treat OSAS tend to enhance weight gain. Such patients should be closely monitored and the required measures should be taken in terms of obesity.