Sleep apnea linked to bigger but poorer-quality muscles, study finds

A Sleep and Breathing study of 209 adults found that those with obstructive sleep apnea have a higher skeletal muscle index (larger muscle mass) but lower muscle density, indicating fatter or less healthy muscle and potential functional impairment. Age and BMI appeared to influence muscle quality more than sleep apnea alone. Severe OSA correlated with lower muscle density and higher muscle index. Experts stress that treating OSA with CPAP, along with maintaining a healthy weight and activity, is important, and that imaging muscle quality may provide insights beyond size. The study cautions that results came from a single center and lifestyle factors were not fully assessed, warranting broader multi-center research.