The Association Between Obesity and the Development and Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Systematic Review

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) CA), 2024-09, Vol.16 (9), p.e69962
• Main Authors: Alenezi, Mohamad Ahmad, Alabdulathim, Shahd, Alhejaili, Sultan Abdullah Mutyi, Al Sheif, Zahra Abdulelah A, Aldossari, Kade Khalid, Bakhsh, Jana Ibrahim, Alharbi, Faisl Mohammed, Ahmad, Abdulaziz Abdullah Yousef, Aloufi, Razan Muidh, Mushaeb, Hanan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Family/General Practice
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.69962

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally, accompanied by a parallel rise in the incidence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The systematic study aims to assess the association between obesity and the onset and severity of OSA. A comprehensive computerized search of pertinent databases was done to find studies that fit the inclusion requirements. A comprehensive search was carried out on PubMed, SCOPUS, Science Direct, Systematic Library, and Web of Science to locate relevant material. Our data included 12 trials with 4095 participants, and 1456 (35.6%) were men. In individuals who were obese, the prevalence of OSA varied from 12.6% to 88.9%, with a total prevalence of 1291 (31.5%). One major factor that determined the level of OSA was obesity. It was consistently discovered by studies that there was a positive correlation between body mass index (BMI), and measures such as the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) are crucial in determining the extent of OSA. Besides, it was also observed that these comorbid conditions made OSA more severe and difficult to manage. Variability in findings suggests the influence of additional factors such as age, sex, and ethnicity on the obesity-OSA relationship. This comprehensive study offers strong evidence that OSA development and severity are significantly influenced by fat. The results emphasize the significance of weight control, especially for obese people, in treating and preventing OSA.