How are obesity and sleep apnoea connected? Research suggests that sleep apnoea:
Is highly prevalent in morbidly obese patients and is associated with increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias1
Has been found to affect as many as 77% of bariatric surgery candidates2
Increases the occurrence of major post-operative complications in bariatric surgery patients3 and increases hospital costs in this patient group4
Must be considered as part of perioperative care for bariatric surgery5
Air pressure treatment required may fluctuate post-operatively because bariatric patients undergo dramatic physical changes (e.g., weight loss). Automatic positive airway pressure (APAP) devices should be considered as a treatment choice during this time.6
Is improved by weight loss. Surgery does not necessarily eliminate sleep apnoea in obese patients, necessitating long-term follow-up and monitoring.7
Can reappear with post-operative weight gain in bariatric patients.8
Development and severity may be increased by weight gain.9
