The relationship between obstructive sleep apnoea and body mass index.
Obese patients have a high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), but a low response rate and high frequency of relapse after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UVPP). In this study we have determined the level of obstruction during sleep in 31 men with OSA, using a catheter with multiple micropressure transducers and a portable digital recorder. The proportion of apnoeic episodes with obstruction at lower levels correlated with increasing body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.05). Thus, with increasing obesity, there seems to be a shift to a lower level of obstruction. All patients with BMI > 30 and apnoea index (AI) > 5 had predominantly lower obstructions (P < 0.05). This may explain why many obese patients fail to respond, or have relapses after UVPP.
Rollheim
J
J
Department of Otolaryngology, St Olav's Clinic, Vestfold Central Hospital, Tønsberg, Norway.
Osnes
T
T
Miljeteig
H
H
D015992:Body Mass Index; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*