It is a sleep-related disorder characterized by repeated episodes of irregular breathing due to complete or partial obstruction of the upper airways.
Apnea, sleep problems. Photo: EFE
A scientific equipmentled by the University of California, San Diego, demonstrated the potential of tirzepatideknown to control type 2 diabetes. It is the first pharmacological treatment effective for obstructive sleep apnea.
Apnea is a sleep-related disorder characterized by repeated episodes of irregular breathing due to complete or partial obstruction of the upper airways.
The new drug treatment developed for diabetes shows ‘promising results’ in terms of improving sleep and general health in patients diagnosed with obesity and living with obstructive sleep apnea, researchers say.
Apnea, sleep problems. Photo: EFE
The Results of the investigation are published in The New England Journal of Medicine and, according to those responsible, show the potential of the treatment – still in the study phase – to improve the quality of life of millions of people around the world affected by this type of apnea ( OSA).
The OSA can reduce blood oxygen levels and be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications, such as hypertension and heart disease. Recent studies, also led by Malhotra, suggest that the number of OSA patients worldwide is close to 936 million, reports a statement from the aforementioned university.
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Phase 3 trials
The new study cohort, carried out in two clinical trials in phase 3double-blind, randomized and controlled, included 469 participants diagnosed with clinical obesity and suffering from moderate to severe OSA.
They were recruited in centers in nine different countries, including the United States, Australia and Germany. Participants were either using or not using continuous positive airway pressure therapy, the most common sleep apnea treatment that uses a machine to keep the airway open during sleep, preventing interruptions in breathing.
Patients are They administered 10 or 15 milligrams of the drug by injection or a placebo. The effect of tirzepatide was evaluated over 52 weeks.
Sleep; insomnia; dream. Photo: Unsplash.
The researchers found that tirzepatide caused ‘a significant decrease’ in the number of breathing interruptions during sleep, a key indicator used to measure the severity of OSA. This improvement was much greater than that seen in those who received a placebo.
Besides, pharmacological therapy improved other aspects related to OSA, such as reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors and improving body weight, the authors note.
