Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of the total randomized sample and the three study groups.
| Total (n = 187) | SCG (n = 65) | MDG (n = 62) | MLG (n = 60) | p * | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age, years | 49 ± 10 | 48 ± 10 | 50 ± 9.1 | 48 ± 10 | 0.2 |
| Male sex, n (%) | 141 (75) | 51 (79) | 44 (71) | 46 (77) | 0.6 |
| Current smokers, n (%) | 61 (33) | 19 (29) | 26 (42) | 16 (27) | 0.2 |
| BMI, kg/m2 | 35.6 ± 6.0 | 36.1 ± 6.4 | 34.9 ± 5.9 | 35.8 ± 6.0 | 0.5 |
| Obesity, n (%) a | 150 (80) | 52 (80) | 48 (77) | 50 (83) | 0.7 |
| Energy intake, kJ/day | 9699 ± 3117 | 9326 ± 3029 | 10071 ± 3427 | 9719 ± 2879 | 0.4 |
| MedDietScore (0–55) | 32.1 ± 4.4 | 32.2 ± 4.5 | 31.7 ± 4.4 | 32.4 ± 4.5 | 0.7 |
| Physical activity, min/day | 13 (2.9, 34) | 11 (0.0, 34) | 11 (0.0, 30) | 17 (6.4, 40) | 0.2 |
| Sleep duration, h/day | 6.1 ± 1.5 | 6.0 ± 1.8 | 6.1 ± 1.2 | 6.2 ± 1.5 | 0.8 |
| AHI, events/h | 58 (31, 85) | 52 (31, 87) | 60 (35, 81) | 62 (21, 89) | 0.9 |
| Severe OSA, n (%) b | 143 (77) | 50 (78) | 50 (81) | 42 (70) | 0.4 |
| CPAP therapy, n (%) | 142 (76) | 53 (82) | 43 (69) | 46 (77) | 0.2 |
| Increased WC, n (%) c | 169 (90) | 59 (91) | 53 (86) | 57 (95) | 0.1 |
| Increased TG, n (%) d | 81 (43) | 34 (52) | 20 (32) | 27 (45) | 0.1 |
| Decreased HDLC, n (%) e | 102 (55) | 37 (57) | 31 (50) | 34 (57) | 0.7 |
| Hypertension, n (%) f | 135 (72) | 45 (69) | 47 (76) | 43 (72) | 0.7 |
| Hyperglycemia, n (%) g | 45 (24) | 13 (20) | 16 (26) | 16 (27) | 0.5 |
| Presence of MS, n (%) h | 115 (62) | 42 (65) | 31 (50) | 42 (70) | 0.1 |
Results are presented as mean ± standard deviation for normally distributed numerical variables or median (1st, 3rd quartile) for skewed numerical variables, and as absolute number (relative frequency) for categorical variables. * p-value for the difference between groups, as derived from one-way analysis of variance and Kruskal–Wallis test for the normally distributed and skewed numerical variables, respectively, and chi-square test for categorical variables. Statistical significance level was set at 0.05. a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. b AHI ≥ 30 events/h of sleep. c >102 cm for males and >88 cm for females. d ≥1.7 mmol/L (≥150 mg/dL) or reception of lipid-lowering medication. e <1.0 mmol/L (<40 mg/dL) for males and <1.3 mmol/L (<50 mg/dL) for females, or reception of relevant medication. f systolic blood pressure ≥130 mm Hg or/and diastolic blood pressure ≥ 85 mm Hg, or reception of antihypertensive medication. g fasting glucose levels ≥ 5.6 mmol/L (≥100 mg/dL) or reception of antidiabetic medication. h according to the criteria proposed by Alberti et al. [33]. SCG, standard care group; MDG, Mediterranean diet group; MLG, Mediterranean lifestyle group; BMI, body mass index; MedDietScore, Mediterranean diet score; AHI, apnea-hypopnea index; OSA, obstructive sleep apnea; CPAP, continuous positive airway pressure; WC, waist circumference; TG, triglycerides; HDLC, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; MS, metabolic syndrome.