PP23 REPERCUSSIONS OF THE PANDEMIC: THE RISE OF OBESITY AND SEVERE OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA

Ying Xin Leong, Keik Wee Koh, Arul Diana Marie, Siew Choo Su
Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Klang Selangor, Malaysia

Introduction:

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic by World Health Organisation on 11th March 2020. A week later, a national lockdown was implemented in Malaysia in stages (MCO, CMCO, RMCO, National recovery plan) from 18th March 2020 till 31st December 2021. These lockdown measures have caused a sharp rise in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children worldwide, with a consequent rise in the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the rise of OSA cases secondary to obesity. 

Methodology:

We conducted a monocentric, retrospective analysis of OSA patients with obesity discharged on home NIV (CPAP or BiPAP) during post-pandemic era (1st January 2022 – 30th June 2024) and compared it to the same duration during pre-pandemic era (1st August 2017 – 28th February 2020). 

Results:

There were 12 patients with OSA secondary to obesity who were discharged on nocturnal NIV between 1st January 2022 and 30th June 2024. This was a marked increase compared to the same period between 1st August 2017 and 28th February 2020 with 2 discharged on NIV. Sub-analysis of the post-pandemic era showed a steady increase in the number annually (2 in 2022, 3 in 2023, and 7 in the first half of 2024). All these patients showed rapid weight gain during the pandemic, with subsequent worsening of OSA symptoms. The median age of patients was 9 years old. 10 patients (83.3%) were males and 2 (16.7%) were females. The median BMI was 32.  91.6% of these patients (11 patients) had concomittant adenotonsillar hypertrophy, and 8 underwent adenotonsillectomy. 

Conclusion:

The results of our study strongly suggest that school closures and other lockdown measures during the COVID-19 pandemic leading to home schooling, reduced physical activity and unhealthy eating habits have led to a marked rise in the cases of OSA secondary to obesity requiring NIV.