Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Does Not Improve Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. A Randomized Clinical Trial

Main idea: Despite significant correlations between hepatic steatosis and markers of severity of obstructive sleep apnea, continuous positive airway pressure alone did not improve hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. However, the additional role of weight reduction through lifestyle modification deserves further investigation.

Abstract

Rationale: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on NAFLD in patients with concomitant OSA are unknown.The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of autoadjusting CPAP versus subtherapeutic CPAP treatment over 6 months on NAFLD activities.Patients with NAFLD and OSA, as defined by respiratory event index ≥5/h diagnosed by a validated level 3 Embletta device, were randomized into group A) autoadjusting CPAP (4-20 cm H2O) or group B) subtherapeutic CPAP (pressure fixed at 4 cm H2O).

A total of 120 patients were randomized equally into two groups. There were significant correlations between CAP and respiratory event index percentage of total recording time with SaO2 < 90% and oxygen desaturation index. After 6 months of treatment, there were no significant differences of changes in primary and secondary endpoints between the two treatment groups. Regression analysis showed that weight change over 6 months correlated with changes in both intrahepatic triglyceride and CAP.

Source ATSJournals