The higher the weight diminishes the effectiveness.
A recent study suggests that obese individuals may experience diminished benefits from a nerve-stimulation treatment designed to alleviate sleep apnea symptoms. The research indicates that the effectiveness of the treatment could be significantly reduced, by approximately 75%, among individuals with higher body mass indexes (BMIs) ranging from 32 to 35, compared to those with lower BMIs.
Dr. Eric Landsness, senior researcher and assistant professor of neurology at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, emphasized the importance of informed decision-making for overweight patients considering this treatment. While the therapy, known as hypoglossal nerve stimulation, has gained popularity since its initial approval in 2014 for patients within healthy weight ranges, its efficacy among those with higher BMIs has raised questions.
Sleep apnea, characterized by airway obstruction during sleep, poses significant health risks, including cardiovascular complications. The hypoglossal nerve stimulation treatment involves implanting a small device near the ribs, which delivers electrical impulses to the hypoglossal nerve, thereby preventing airway blockages by stimulating tongue muscles.
This therapy presents an alternative to the cumbersome continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines commonly used to treat sleep apnea. Despite its potential benefits, the study findings highlight the impact of BMI on treatment outcomes.
The study, published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, involved 78 participants with BMIs up to 35. While overall improvement was observed among patients, those with BMIs of 32 to 35 showed less significant progress compared to those with lower BMIs.
Dr. Landsness underscored the linear relationship between BMI and treatment success, noting a 17% decrease in the likelihood of successful treatment for every unit increase in BMI over 32.
Inspire Medical Systems manufactures the hypoglossal nerve stimulator, the only FDA-approved device of its kind in the United States. While the device offers potential benefits, including significant symptom reduction for many patients, its efficacy may be compromised for individuals with higher BMIs.
Considering the substantial cost and time investment associated with the device, Dr. Landsness emphasized the importance of assessing BMI as a factor in treatment decisions. While hypoglossal nerve stimulation remains a viable option for some, careful consideration of individual BMI and associated treatment success rates is essential in guiding patient recommendations.
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