<b><i>Background:</i></b> Most patients with mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are positional dependent. Although mild OSA worsens over time, no study has assessed the natural course of positional mild OSA. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> The aim of this study was to evaluate the natural course of positional mild OSA, its most valuable progression predictor, and its impact on blood pressure (BP) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This retrospective observational cohort study enrolled 86 patients with positional mild OSA and 26 patients with nonpositional mild OSA, with a follow-up duration of 32.0 ± 27.6 months and 37.6 ± 27.8 months, respectively. Polysomnographic variables, BP, and ANS functions were compared between groups at baseline and after follow-up. <b><i>Results:</i></b> In patients with positional mild OSA after follow-up, the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) increased (9.1 ± 3.3/h vs. 22.0 ± 13.2/h, <i>p</i> = 0.000), as did the morning systolic BP (126.4 ± 13.3 mm Hg vs. 130.4 ± 15.9 mm Hg, <i>p</i> = 0.011), and the sympathetic activity (49.4 ± 12.3% vs. 55.3 ± 13.1%, <i>p</i> = 0.000), while the parasympathetic activity decreased (50.6 ± 12.3% vs. 44.7 ± 13.1%, <i>p</i> = 0.000). The body mass index changes were the most important factor associated with AHI changes among patients with positional mild OSA (Beta = 0.259, adjust <i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.056, <i>p</i> = 0.016, 95% confidence interval 0.425 and 3.990). The positional dependency disappeared over time in 66.3% of patients with positional mild OSA while 69.2% of patients with nonpositional mild OSA retained nonpositional. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> In patients with positional mild OSA, disease severity, BP, and ANS regulation worse over time. Increased weight was the best predictor for its progression and the loss of positional dependency. Better treatments addressing weight control and consistent follow-up are needed for positional mild OSA.
Intermittent hypoxia from obstructive sleep apnea may cause neuronal impairment and dysfunction in central nervous system: the potential roles played by microglia