Bottom Line
The ACP recommends weight loss for all overweight patients with OSA. CPAP is first-line therapy, particularly if weight loss cannot be sustained or does not sufficiently lessen symptoms. For selected patients who are younger and thinner, with less severe OSA, or for those patients who are unable to tolerate CPAP, MADs can be used as an alternative first-line therapy with moderate success.
Reference
Qaseem A., Holty J.C., Owens D. et al. Diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in adults: a Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians. Ann. Intern. Med. 2014;161:210-20.
Dr. Grover is a second-year resident in the family medicine residency program at Abington Memorial Hospital. Dr. Skolnik is associate director of the family medicine residency program at Abington Memorial Hospital and professor of family and community medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia.