Sustained improvement in mild obstructive sleep apnea after a diet- and physical activity–based lifestyle intervention: postinterventional follow-up123

• Published in: The American journal of clinical nutrition 2010-10, Vol.92 (4), p.688-696
• Main Authors: Tuomilehto, Henri, Gylling, Helena, Peltonen, Markku, Martikainen, Tarja, Sahlman, Johanna, Kokkarinen, Jouko, Randell, Jukka, Tukiainen, Hannu, Vanninen, Esko, Partinen, Markku, Tuomilehto, Jaakko, Uusitupa, Matti, Seppä, Juha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0002-9165; 1938-3207
• DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.2010.29485

Background: Obesity is the most important risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Weight-reduction programs have been observed to represent effective treatment of overweight patients with OSA. However, it is not known whether beneficial changes remain after the end of the intervention. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the long-term efficacy of a lifestyle intervention based on a healthy diet and physical activity in a randomized, controlled, 2-y postintervention follow-up in OSA patients. Design: Eighty-one consecutive overweight [body mass index (in kg/m2): 28–40] adult patients with mild OSA were recruited. The intervention group completed a 1-y lifestyle modification regimen that included an early 12-wk weight-reduction program with a very-low-calorie diet. The control group received routine lifestyle counseling. During the second year, no dietary counseling was offered. Change in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was the main objective outcome variable, and changes in symptoms were used as a subjective measurement. Results: A total of 71 patients completed the 2-y follow-up. The mean (± SD) changes in diet and lifestyle with simultaneous weight reduction (−7.3 ± 6.5 kg) in the intervention group reflected sustained improvements in findings and symptoms of OSA. After 2 y, the reduction in the AHI was significantly greater in the intervention group (P = 0.049). The intervention lowered the risk of OSA at follow-up; the adjusted odds ratio for OSA was 0.35 (95% CI: 0.12–0.97; P = 0.045). Conclusion: Favorable changes achieved by a 1-y lifestyle intervention aimed at weight reduction with a healthy diet and physical activity were sustained in overweight patients with mild OSA after the termination of supervised lifestyle counseling. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00486746.