Nerve-stimulation sleep apnea treatment extended to patients with BMIs up to 40, but success rate decreases with increasing BMI.

A nerve-stimulation treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, first approved for patients with healthy BMIs, has been extended to include those with BMIs up to 40. However, research from Washington University School of Medicine suggests the likelihood of successful treatment decreases as a patient's BMI increases. A study in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery found a 75% lower success rate in patients with BMIs of 32 to 35, highlighting the importance of considering weight in evaluating treatment options for sleep apnea.