Both trials were conducted for 52 weeks to compare the baseline number of apnea events (instances in which the patient stopped breathing while sleeping) against the number after 52 weeks.
In the first trial, the baseline number of events was 51.5 per hour. At the end of the trial, patients taking tirzepatide experienced 36 per hour, a reduction of nearly 30%. The placebo group only experienced about five fewer events per hour, less than a 10% reduction.
Results were even more compelling in the second trial, where patients were already utilizing PAP therapy.
The baseline number of events in the trial was 49.5, but dropped to 20.2 in the tirzepatide group after 52 weeks — a reduction of nearly two-thirds. Similar to the first trial, the placebo group only experienced about five less.
Sum-Ping told Healthline that although only the abstract has been published so far, the research shows a lot of promise.
“I think there is considerable potential for this drug (and class) as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. There is significant need for new treatment options in this space and the results in this study are very strong,” he said.
Despite the compelling results, he told Healthline, “The patients still seemed to have a non-trivial degree of sleep apnea remaining.” Suggesting that treatment with these medications does not entirely eliminate sleep apnea.
Secondary endpoints from the trials include weight loss, improved blood pressure, and self-reported sleep disturbances. The abstract does not include the specifics for these endpoints, only stating that there were “significant improvements.”