BEER-SHEVA, Israel, April 20, 2026 – A new study from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Soroka University Medical Centre, published in Sleep and Breathing ( https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-026-03573-7 ), reveals a significant link between obstructive sleep apnea and skeletal muscle quality. This finding may indicate an increased risk of muscle deterioration with aging, something many of us are unaware of.
About 30% of the adult population suffers from obstructive sleep apnea. During sleep, the upper airways collapse repeatedly, causing breathing pauses, drops in oxygen levels, and disrupted sleep. Beyond the known effects on alertness, concentration, and the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, the study shows that the syndrome has significant consequences for bone strength and skeletal muscle quality, consequences that can lead to fractures, reduced muscle strength, and impaired quality of life.
The study was led by Prof. Ariel Tarasiuk, Director of the Sleep-Wake Disorders Unit at Soroka University Medical Center and the Department of Physiology at the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ben-Gurion University, and Prof. Ilan Shelef, Director of the Imaging Institute at Soroka, in collaboration with Dr. Sharon Daniel from the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and the Pediatric Division at Soroka, and medical student Samuel Francis.
As part of the study, researchers analyzed CT scans performed for various medical reasons, enabling assessment of bone density and muscle composition without additional tests or unnecessary radiation exposure. The study findings showed that people with obstructive sleep apnea have lower skeletal muscle density and a higher skeletal muscle index than those without sleep apnea—a pattern suggesting changes in muscle quality.
According to Prof. Ariel Tarasiuk: "Obstructive sleep apnea is much more than snoring. Without early diagnosis and treatment, it is a disease that can lead to fractures, reduced muscle function, and even loss of independence."
Prof. Ilan Shelef adds: "CT scans already performed as part of routine clinical practice can serve as an effective screening tool for early identification of at-risk patients, without the need for additional tests."
Dr. Sharon Daniel emphasizes that combining sleep data, imaging, and medical databases enables accurate identification of at-risk groups and provides a foundation for preventive and personalized medicine.
The current study joins an earlier study by the same research team, published in the journal Scientific Reports ( https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-10313-w ), which found a link between obstructive sleep apnea and decreased bone density.
The researchers call for routine integration of bone density and muscle quality assessment into the analysis of existing CT scans, and for the development of dedicated follow-up and treatment pathways for patients with obstructive sleep apnea, with the goal of enabling early diagnosis, effective intervention, and meaningful change during sleep-related breathing disorders.
Sleep And Breathing
Imaging analysis
People
Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with altered skeletal muscle composition using computed tomography–derived indices
30-Jan-2026