Entering a New Era in Sleep Apnea Treatment

This editorial highlights the transformative potential of tirzepatide, a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with obesity, as demonstrated in the SURMOUNT OSA trial. Over 52 weeks, tirzepatide (10–15 mg weekly) reduced the apnea hypopnea index by 48–56% and body weight by 16–17%, alongside improvements in systolic blood pressure. While patient centered outcomes (e.g., sleep quality) showed modest gains, the trial’s focus on surrogate metrics like AHI leaves clinical relevance uncertain. Challenges include high discontinuation rates of GLP-1 agonists in real world settings and racial disparities in access. Tirzepatide may complement existing therapies (e.g., CPAP), but long term cardiovascular outcomes and broader patient reported data are needed to solidify its role in OSA management.

This editorial highlights the transformative potential of tirzepatide, a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with obesity, as demonstrated in the SURMOUNT OSA trial. Over 52 weeks, tirzepatide (10–15 mg weekly) reduced the apnea hypopnea index by 48–56% and body weight by 16–17%, alongside improvements in systolic blood pressure. While patient centered outcomes (e.g., sleep quality) showed modest gains, the trial’s focus on surrogate metrics like AHI leaves clinical relevance uncertain. Challenges include high discontinuation rates of GLP-1 agonists in real world settings and racial disparities in access. Tirzepatide may complement existing therapies (e.g., CPAP), but long term cardiovascular outcomes and broader patient reported data are needed to solidify its role in OSA management.