Medically reviewed by Medicine.com.
By Carole Tanzer Miller HealthDay Reporter
FRIDAY, June 21, 2024 — A medicine used to handle kind 2 diabetes has been discovered efficient in treating sleep apnea.
The worldwide medical trial demonstrates that tirzepatide considerably lowers respiration interruptions throughout sleep, a key indicator of the severity of a affected person’s obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Tirzepatide is likely one of the class of blockbuster GLP-1 medicines, bought as Mounjaro to combat diabetes and as Zepbound to assist with weight reduction.
“This examine marks a major milestone within the therapy of OSA, providing a promising new therapeutic choice that addresses each respiratory and metabolic issues,” mentioned examine chief Dr. Atul Malhotra, director of sleep drugs at UC San Diego Well being.
OSA is characterised by repeated episodes of irregular respiration throughout sleep attributable to whole or partial blockage of the higher airway. It may end up in diminished oxygen ranges within the blood and has been linked to an elevated threat for hypertension, coronary heart illness and different heart-related issues.
Greater than 900 million individuals worldwide are believed to have OSA, and the 469 individuals on this examine had been recruited from the US and eight different nations. All had been clinically overweight and had moderate-to-severe sleep apnea.
Some used steady optimistic airway strain (CPAP) therapy, through which a machine maintains an open airway throughout sleep. All got 10 or 15 milligrams (mg) of tirzepatide or a placebo.
Over the course of 1 12 months, sufferers who used tirzepatide had a major drop in respiration interruptions throughout sleep. Their enchancment was a lot larger than that seen within the placebo group. Researchers mentioned some sufferers would possibly not want CPAP remedy.
The findings, revealed June 21 within the New England Journal of Medication, add to proof {that a} drug focusing on each apnea and weight problems is healthier than treating both situation by itself. Researchers mentioned the drug remedy improved different facets associated to OSA, akin to enhancing weight. Some sufferers, nevertheless, had delicate abdomen points.
For sufferers who hate carrying a CPAP masks over their nostril and mouth once they go to mattress, the findings may very well be welcome information.
“This breakthrough opens the door to a brand new period of OSA administration for individuals recognized with weight problems, probably reworking how we strategy and deal with this pervasive situation on a worldwide scale,” Malhotra mentioned in a UC San Diego Well being information launch.
Sources
- UC San Diego Well being, information launch, June 21, 2024
Disclaimer: Statistical knowledge in medical articles present normal developments and don’t pertain to people. Particular person components can differ tremendously. At all times search personalised medical recommendation for particular person healthcare choices.
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Posted June 2024
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