# 20.20: Weight and Sleep Apnea


Learning Objectives

• Excess Body Weight and Sleep Apnea

## Research conducted by

Kari Johansson, Erik Hemmingsson, Richard Harlid, Ylva Trolle Lagerros, Fredrik Granath, Stephan Rössner, and Martin Neovius

Philip Sedgwick

## Case study prepared by

Robert F. Houser and Georgette Baghdady

## Overview

In his statistical article, “Standard deviation versus standard error,” UK researcher Philip Sedgwick presents us with an interesting discussion of the proper use of standard deviation (SD) and standard error of the mean (SEM). He uses an example of a weight loss study of $$63$$ obese men suffering from obstructive sleep apnea who were being treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The weight loss program lasted one year. Outcome measures included change in body weight measured in kilograms (kg).

More than $$60\%$$ of people experiencing obstructive sleep apnea are obese. CPAP therapy is the most common treatment. It uses a machine and mask to prevent the airway from collapsing, thus enabling a person to breathe more easily during sleep. Weight loss is an effective treatment for sleep apnea.

What is the proper use of the SD? What is the proper use of the SEM?

## Design Issues

None for the Sedgwick article.

## Descriptions of Variables

 Variable Description Weight Body weight at baseline in kg Weight change Change in body weight at one year from baseline in kg

What Is Sleep Apnea?

t Table (two-tailed) for significance and calculation of confidence interval

Johansson et al. article

## References

• Sedgwick, P. (2011). Standard deviation versus standard error. BMJ, 343, d8010.
• Johansson, K., Hemmingsson, E., Harlid, R., Lagerros, Y. T., Granath, F., Rössner, S., Neovius, M. (2011). Longer term effects of very low energy diet on obstructive sleep apnoea in cohort derived from randomised controlled trial: prospective observational follow-up study. BMJ, 342, d3017.

This page titled 20.20: Weight and Sleep Apnea is shared under a Public Domain license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by David Lane via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.