EFFECTS OF GLUCAGON-LIKE PEPTIDE-1 RECEPTOR AGONISTS ON OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA IN PATIENTS WITH OBESITY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/levv17n61-049Keywords:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Obesity, GLP-1 Receptor Agonists, Liraglutide, Semaglutide, TirzepatideAbstract
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a respiratory disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of upper airway obstruction during sleep, frequently associated with obesity and significant cardiovascular and metabolic consequences. In this context, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have emerged as a promising therapeutic alternative due to their effectiveness in promoting weight loss and improving cardiometabolic parameters. This study aimed to synthesize and critically analyze the scientific evidence regarding the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists on obstructive sleep apnea in patients with obesity. An integrative literature review was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect databases. Studies published between 2016 and 2025 addressing the effects of liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide in individuals with obesity and OSA were included. After applying the eligibility criteria, 10 studies were selected for the final sample. The findings demonstrated that GLP-1 receptor agonists significantly reduced the apnea-hypopnea index, promoted weight loss, improved oxygenation parameters, and provided cardiometabolic benefits. Among the evaluated medications, tirzepatide showed the most robust results, particularly in the SURMOUNT-OSA studies. It is concluded that GLP-1 receptor agonists represent a promising therapeutic strategy for obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea, contributing to disease severity reduction and improvement of associated metabolic outcomes. However, further studies are required to establish their definitive role in OSA treatment.
Downloads
References
BLACKMAN, A.; FOSTER, G. D.; ZAMMIT, G.; ROSENBERG, R.; ARONNE, L.; WADDEN, T.; CLAUDIUS, B.; JENSEN, C. B.; MIGNOT, E. Effect of liraglutide 3.0 mg in individuals with obesity and moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnea: the SCALE Sleep Apnea randomized clinical trial. International Journal of Obesity, London, v. 40, n. 8, p. 1310–1319, 2016. DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2016.52.
DUTTA, D.; et al. Efficacy and safety of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonism-based therapies in obstructive sleep apnoea: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, New Delhi, v. 29, n. 1, p. 1–11, 2025. DOI: 10.4103/ijem.ijem_365_24.
GARVEY, W. T.; BATTERHAM, R. L.; BIRKENFELD, A. L.; et al. Two-year effects of semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity: the STEP 5 trial. Nature Medicine, New York, v. 28, n. 10, p. 2083–2091, 2022. DOI: 10.1038/s41591-022-02026-4.
JIANG, W.; et al. Efficacy and safety of liraglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and severe obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep and Breathing, Heidelberg, v. 27, n. 4, p. 1501–1510, 2023. DOI: 10.1007/s11325-022-02768-y.
LI, M.; LIN, H.; YANG, Q.; ZHANG, X.; ZHOU, Q.; SHI, J.; GE, F. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: a meta-analysis. Sleep, Oxford, v. 48, n. 4, p. 1–8, 2025. DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsae280.
MALHOTRA, A.; BEDNARIK, J.; CHAKLADAR, S.; DUNN, J. P.; WEAVER, T.; GRUNSTEIN, R.; FIETZE, I.; REDLINE, S.; AZARBARZIN, A.; SANDS, S. A.; SCHWAB, R. J.; BUNCK, M. C. Tirzepatide for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: rationale, design, and sample baseline characteristics of the SURMOUNT-OSA phase 3 trial. Contemporary Clinical Trials, New York, v. 141, p. 107516, 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2024.107516.
RUBINO, D.; ABRAHAMSSON, N.; DAVIES, M.; et al. Effect of continued weekly subcutaneous semaglutide vs placebo on weight loss maintenance in adults with overweight or obesity: the STEP 4 randomized clinical trial. JAMA, Chicago, v. 325, n. 14, p. 1414–1425, 2021. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2021.3224.
WADDEN, T. A.; BAILEY, T. S.; BILLINGS, L. K.; et al. Effect of subcutaneous semaglutide vs placebo as an adjunct to intensive behavioral therapy on body weight in adults with overweight or obesity: the STEP 3 randomized clinical trial. JAMA, Chicago, v. 325, n. 14, p. 1403–1413, 2021. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2021.1831.
WILDING, J. P. H.; BATTERHAM, R. L.; CALANNA, S.; et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, Boston, v. 384, n. 11, p. 989–1002, 2021. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2032183.
