CPAP may improve BMD among male patients with sleep apnea

In the present study, researchers investigated the effect of twelve months of CPAP treatment on lumbar and femur bone mineral density (BMD) and bone-related serum biomarkers in male patients with severe OSA.

The study had Sixty patients with a mean age of 55 years. These patients underwent BMD measurement with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at baseline and after 12 months of CPAP treatment. The team examined levels of Vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and calcium serum levels at the same time points.

The key results of the study are:

• There was a significant increase in BMD in the L1 and L2 vertebrae after CPAP treatment, along with increased vitamin D and calcium levels.
• There was a decrease in PTH levels.
• There was a significant correlation between increased BMD in L1 and decreased PTH serum levels.

They said that beneficial OSA treatment restores bone health and supports CPAP treatment as a feasible strategy to improve BMD in male patients with severe Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

They note that diagnosing and targeting OSA may be warranted in managing male patients with undetermined osteopenia and osteoporosis.

Further reading:

https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/37677073/full_citation