Weight Loss Approach during Routine Follow-up is Effective for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome Subjects Receiving Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment

Abstract

The present study investigated the effectiveness of a weight loss program during routine medical follow-up with regularity on promoting weight reduction in obese obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) subjects receiving continuous positive airway pressure treatment (CPAP). A total of 10 male obese OSAHS subjects treated with CPAP were enrolled in the present study that was an intervention study without a control and had a pre-post test study design. The age was 50.7 (7.8) (mean (SD)) years, and body mass index was 30.7 (2.5) kg/m(2). A 4-month weight loss program was developed, using a combined approach of diet and physical activity based on individual counseling with behavioral approach. At 4 months, weight was significantly decreased compared with the baseline value (88.4 (8.9) kg to 86.9 (8.8) kg, p=0.005), and the mean weight loss was a 1.7% decrease from the baseline. There was significantly higher percent weight loss in the group with a CPAP duration < 30 months, than in the group > or = 30 months (2.7 (1.6) % vs. 0.6 (0.5) %, p=0.032). The present study shows that a weight loss program may be useful in reducing weight for male obese OSAHS subjects treated with CPAP.