בשל "הגנת זכויות יוצרים", מובא להלן קישור למאמר בלבד. לקריאתו בטקסט מלא, אנא פנה/י לספרייה הרפואית הזמינה לך.

Obesity is the primary risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Tongue fat is increased in obese persons with OSA, and may explain the relationship between obesity and OSA. Weight loss improves OSA, but the mechanism is unknown.

To determine the effect of weight loss on upper airway anatomy in subjects with obesity and OSA.

We hypothesized that weight loss would decrease soft tissue volumes and tongue fat, and that these changes would correlate with reductions in apnea–hypopnea index (AHI).

A total of 67 individuals with obesity and OSA (AHI ≥ 10 events/h) underwent a sleep study and upper airway and abdominal magnetic resonance imaging before and after a weight loss intervention (intensive lifestyle modification or bariatric surgery).

Airway sizes and soft tissue, tongue fat, and abdominal fat volumes were quantified. Associations between weight loss and changes in these structures, and relationships to AHI changes, were examined.