Study identifies first drug for sleep apnea

A scientific team led by the University of California, San Diego (USA) has demonstrated the potential of tirzepatide, known to control type 2 diabetes, as a first-line Effective pharmacological treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

OSA is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated episodes of irregular breathingr due to complete or partial obstruction of the upper respiratory tract.

New drug treatment developed to treat diabetes shows “promising results” in terms of improving patients’ sleep and overall health The researchers say they have been diagnosed with obesity and are living with OSA.

The results of the study were published in the New England Journal of Medicine and, according to those responsible, show the potential of the treatment – still in the research phase – to improve the quality of life of millions of people around the world affected by the disease. type of apnea.

“This work marks an important milestone in the treatment of OSA, offering a promising new therapeutic option that “addresses both respiratory and metabolic complications”

says Atul Malhotra, lead author of the study and a professor at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine.

OSA can reduce oxygen levels in the blood and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications.such as hypertension and heart disease.

Recent research, also conducted by Malhotra, shows that The number of patients with OSA worldwide is approaching 936 millionThis was reported in a statement by the above-mentioned university.

Phase 3 studies involving 469 patients

The new study cohort, conducted in two double-blind, randomized, controlled phase 3 clinical trials, included 469 participants were diagnosed with clinical obesity. and who suffered from moderate to severe OSA.

They were recruited from centers in nine different countries, including the United States, Australia and Germany. Participants either used or did not use continuous positive airway pressure therapy, the most common treatment for sleep apnea, which uses a machine that keeps the airways open during sleep, preventing interruptions in breathing.

For patients They were given 10 or 15 milligrams of the drug by injection or placebo. The effect of tirzepatide was assessed over 52 weeks. The researchers found that tirzepatide caused a “significant reduction” in the number of sleep interruptions, a key indicator used to measure the severity of OSA.

This improvement was much greater than that seen in those who received a placebo. It should be noted that some participants taking the drug has reached a point where treatment with positive pressure therapy may be unnecessaryThis is stated in a statement from the University of California.

Except, pharmacological therapy has improved other aspects associated with OSA, such as reducing cardiovascular risk factors and improving body weight, the authors note.

The most common side effect was mild stomach problems.

Next steps

This new drug treatment offers a more affordable alternative for people who cannot tolerate or adhere to existing treatments, says Malhotra: “We believe that combining continuous positive pressure therapy with weight loss will be optimal for reducing cardiometabolic risk and symptoms.

Next steps include conducting clinical trials to study the long-term effects of tirzepatide. AND

Among others, the work also involved scientists from the University of Sydney, University Hospital Berlin, Harvard Medical School and Eli Lilly, which is partly funding it.

EFE