[Efficacy of weight loss in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Experience in 135 patients].
BACKGROUND
The verification of the results of weight loss as a therapy in the obstructive apnea sleep syndrome (OSAS) is reported given the scarcity of bibliography concerning the same, despite most patients being obese.


METHODS
One hundred thirty-five patients fulfilling the polysomnographic requisites of OSAS and who had lost more that 50% of their excess weight limit with a diet of 1,000 kcal/day as their only therapy were studied. Two groups of patients were established; the first being made up of 89 obese patients (excess weight greater than 15%) and the second 46 non obese patients. Polysomnography was performed prior to and following the diet and the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) were compared with the diminution being related to the loss of weight.


RESULTS
The 89 obese patients had a mean excess of weight of 35% (+/- 20) and an AHI of 64 (+/- 24). Following the loss of weight the same were 11% (+/- 14) and 34 (+/- 28) respectively (p less than 0.001). The 46 non obese patients had an initial medium excess of weight of 9% (+/- 6) and an AHI of 45 (+/- 21) with the same being 1% (+/- 2) and 28 (+/- 26) (p less than 0.001) following the diet. A cure was achieved (AHI less than 10) in 29 cases (33%) in the obese group and in 19 (41%) in the non obese group.


CONCLUSIONS
The efficacy of weight loss in the treatment of patients with OSAS is confirmed. Although the percentages of cure may seem low the innocuousness of this therapeutic method is recommended as an initial measure prior to the decision of surgery.
Pedro-Botet Pons
J
J
Sección de Pruebas Funcionales Respiratorias, Hospital General Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona.
Roca Montanari
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D015431:Weight Loss
Eficacia de la pérdida de peso en el tratamiento del síndrome de apneas obstructivas durante el sueño. Experiencia en 135 pacientes.