Obesity and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

More than 40% of patients with obstructive sleep apnea are obese. Notably, a 10% increase in body weight raises the risk of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea sixfold.

obesity-and-obstructive-sleep-apnea

On the afternoon of June 18, 2025, Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi, in collaboration with Novo Nordisk Vietnam Co., Ltd., successfully organized a professional seminar titled “Obesity and Obstructive Sleep Apnea”. The event was attended by a large number of doctors and specialists in the fields of respiratory health and obesity treatment from the Tam Anh General Hospital system and various hospitals nationwide.

In the opening speech,People’s Doctor, Prof. Dr. Ngo Quy Chau, Deputy General Director of Tam Anh General Hospital System, emphasized that obesity is a major global health issue and one of the leading causes of obstructive sleep apnea. Therefore, effective treatment for overweight and obese individuals requires close collaboration between multiple medical specialties.

At the seminar, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chu Thi Hanh, Head of the Respiratory Department at Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi, stated that being overweight and obese is one of the main risk factors for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Studies have shown that more than 40% of obstructive sleep apnea patients are obese. A 10% weight gain increases the risk of moderate to severe OSA by six times.

OSA is a sleep-related breathing disorder characterized by complete or partial upper airway obstruction during sleep, resulting in hypopnea (shallow or slow breathing) or apnea (temporary cessation of breathing). The condition occurs when the throat muscles relax and obstruct the airflow, causing a sudden drop in blood oxygen saturation. In obese individuals, fat accumulation in the pharyngeal area narrows the upper airway, hindering airflow and leading to breathing difficulties and apnea.

According to Dr. Hanh, common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, feelings of choking or gasping during sleep, witnessed apneic episodes, fatigue, morning headaches, insomnia, depression, frequent urination at night, memory loss, and erectile dysfunction.

Obstructive sleep apnea can lead to serious consequences, such as an increased risk of traffic accidents due to drowsiness while driving. Additionally, it is associated with hypertension, coronary artery disease, depression, and even sudden cardiac or cerebral death.

Currently, treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), oral appliances, positional therapy (avoiding sleeping on the back and using elevated pillows), and surgery. Behavioral changes and weight loss are also crucial components of a comprehensive treatment approach.

Dr. Hanh shared the case of a 42-year-old male patient with a BMI of 31 kg/m² (height 1.72m, weight 92kg, classified as obesity grade 2) who had obstructive sleep apnea and required CPAP therapy. After six months of pharmacological weight loss treatment, the patient lost 16kg. His polysomnography results improved significantly, with the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) dropping from 45 events/hour to 7 events/hour.

For obese patients, in addition to medication, changes in diet and appropriate physical activity tailored to individual health conditions are key to successful and sustainable weight loss.

On this topic, Mr. Tran Van Dan, Chief Physical Therapist at the Rehabilitation Department of Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi, noted that physical therapy helps obese patients lose weight, improve lung ventilation, and reduce the risk of respiratory disorders.

He recommended that obese individuals aim for at least 5,000 steps per day and combine this with 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75–150 minutes of high-intensity aerobic activity per week. Additionally, resistance or strength training should be done at least twice a week.

He also stressed the importance of personalized exercise programs to optimize effectiveness. For example, patients who are unable to walk should have a program designed with seated exercises, arm workouts, or aquatic exercises. Those with limited mobility can try walking and balance training (e.g., walking in a straight line or standing on one foot).

Also at the event, in her report “Liraglutide: Efficacy and Safety in Weight Loss Treatment for Obese Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea,” Dr. Vu Thi Phuong, Medical Information Advisor at Novo Nordisk Vietnam Co., Ltd., provided valuable insights on the effectiveness of this medication in treating overweight and obesity while also improving obstructive sleep apnea symptoms.