Weight loss surgery no cure for sleep apnea

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Patients who undergo weight loss surgery should not expect it to cure the nighttime breathing disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea, according to a paper in the June issue of The American Journal of Medicine.

Dr. David L. Greenburg of Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC and colleagues analyzed a dozen studies involving 342 patients who underwent weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery.

On average, patients experienced significant weight loss, and also experienced far fewer breathing disorder events per hour. 

The authors point out, however, that despite this “substantial improvement,” subjects still had significant symptoms of apnea, suggesting that the condition could still lead to High Blood Pressure, stroke, and heart disease.

Until then, Greenburg and colleagues conclude, “clinicians should have low thresholds” for re-evaluating patients for obstructive sleep apnea after weight loss surgery.

SOURCE: American Journal of Medicine, June 2009.

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