Researchers from Ben-Gurion University and Soroka have found a significant association between obstructive sleep apnea and decreased skeletal muscle quality, in addition to a previous association with decreased bone density. The findings may help in early identification of patients at risk using existing CT scans
There is a significant relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and skeletal muscle quality, according to a new study conducted at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Soroka University Medical Center, and published in the journal Sleep and BreathingThis finding may indicate an increased risk of muscle strength decline with age, something many of us are unaware of.
About 30% of the adult population suffers from obstructive sleep apnea. During sleep, the upper airway repeatedly collapses, causing breathing pauses, drops in oxygen levels, and sleep disturbances. In addition to the known effects on impaired alertness, concentration, and damage to the cardiovascular, circulatory, and respiratory systems, research shows that the syndrome has significant consequences for bone strength and skeletal muscle quality. These consequences can lead to fractures, decreased muscle strength, and impaired quality of life.
the researchers, Prof. Ariel Tarsiuk, researcher in the Department of Physiology at the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and director of the Sleep Disorders Unit at Soroka University Medical Center, Prof. Ilan Shelf, Director of the Imaging Institute in Soroka andDr. Sharon Daniel From the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Ben-Gurion and the Children's Division at Soroka, together with the medical student Samuel Francis, analyzed CT scans performed for various medical reasons, allowing for the assessment of bone density and muscle composition without additional tests or unnecessary radiation exposure.
Lumbar spine CT scans and sleep studies were retrieved from the Soroka University Medical Center database. These data indicate that age and body weight were identified as the main factors for low skeletal muscle density, a finding indicating a change in muscle composition with metabolic consequences, manifested in both muscle mass loss and poor muscle quality. The current study joins a previous study by the research group published in the journal Scientific Reports, who found a link between obstructive sleep apnea and decreased bone density.
"Obstructive sleep apnea is much more than snoring. Without early diagnosis and treatment, it is a disease that can lead to fractures, reduced muscle function and even loss of independence," he explained. Prof. Tersiuk.
"It appears that CT scans that are already performed as part of routine clinical practice can serve as an effective screening tool for early identification of patients at risk, without the need for additional tests," he noted. Prof. Shelf.
Dr. Sharon Daniel He emphasized that the combination of sleep data, imaging, and medical databases allows for accurate identification of at-risk groups and provides a basis for preventive and personalized medicine:
"We call for the routine integration of bone density and muscle quality assessment into existing CT scan analysis, and for the development of dedicated follow-up and treatment pathways for patients with sleep apnea, with the aim of enabling early diagnosis, effective intervention, and significant change in the course of sleep-related breathing disorders."
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