Intraabdominal fat redistribution in long-term continuous positive airway pressure treatment in obstructive sleep apnea patients

Background and objective: Obesity is the main risk factor for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). The aim was to evaluate the long-term effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on intraabdominal fat distribution in OSA patients. Patients and methods: Fifty OSA patients with and 35 without CPAP treatment criteria were followed-up for 2 years. Visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT and SAT) and preaortic intraabdominal fat (PIF) were assessed by sonography. Results: In the non CPAP treated group, SAT and VAT mean values didn't change, while a significantly PIF growth was observed (55.19 [23.44] vs. 63.45 [23.94] mm, P=.021). In the CPAP treated group, VAT and PIF mean were not changed, while SAT decreased significantly (11.29 [5.69] vs. 10.47 [5.71] mm, P=.012). Conclusions: Long-term CPAP treatment produces intraabdominal fat redistribution and is associated with an anthropometric profile of lower cardiovascular risk in OSA patients. (C) 2016 Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.