Patients with the most common sleep disorder could be offered pioneering weight-loss jabs to combat the condition which can be life-threatening.
More than 1.5 million people in the UK live with sleep apnoea, in which heavy snoring disrupts their breathing.
The condition leaves sufferers exhausted due to a lack of sleep as well as increasing their risk of developing high blood pressure and heart disease.
But groundbreaking new research has found that weight-loss jab tirzepatide slashed the frequency of apnoea symptoms, boosting the amount of sleep participants got.
While people become more at risk of sleep apnoea as they get older, the most common cause of the condition is obesity.
The weekly injection works in a similar way to the popular weight-loss medicine Wegovy.
More than 1.5 million people in the UK live with sleep apnoea, in which heavy snoring disrupts their breathing (stock image)
But groundbreaking new research has found that weight-loss jab tirzepatide (pictured) slashed the frequency of apnoea symptoms, boosting the amount of sleep participants got
Those with sleep apnoea suffer a complete collapse of the muscles in the upper windpipe, which can temporarily interrupt breathing. File image
Studies suggest tirzepatide is twice as effective – leading researchers to dub it the ‘King Kong’ of weight-loss drugs.
Experts say it could be life-saving for NHS patients with debilitating sleep apnoea.
‘This looks like a promising treatment,’ says Dr Christopher Turnbull, a sleep apnoea expert at the University of Oxford.
‘Sleep apnoea has a massive impact on the lives of patients, who are more likely to develop heart problems.
‘Many struggle with their weight, which is the main cause of their apnoea, but find it difficult to take part in exercise or commit to a diet because they are exhausted due to the lack of sleep. Anything that could help them lose weight would be a welcome addition to treatment options.’
Muscles in the airways naturally relax during sleep. But those with sleep apnoea suffer a complete collapse of the muscles in the upper windpipe, which can temporarily interrupt breathing.
Those with the condition will often make choking, gasping and snorting noises, and frequently wake up – sometimes as often as every few minutes.
The disruption in breathing also leads to spikes in blood pressure, stressing the heart.
Sleep apnoea patients are twice as likely to suffer a stroke and 80 per cent more likely to develop heart disease than those who don’t have the condition.
In 2016, the death of Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher was put down to severe sleep apnoea combined with heart disease. However, the condition affects predominantly men. Research suggests excess weight can lead to a build-up of fat around the neck as well as increasing the size of the tongue.
In 2016, the death of Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher (pictured in 2011) was put down to severe sleep apnoea combined with heart disease
Carrie Fisher starring as Princess Leia on Star Wars the Empire Strikes Back in 1980
However, the condition affects predominantly men. Research suggests excess weight can lead to a build-up of fat around the neck as well as increasing the size of the tongue (stock photo)
One of the most common treatments for sleep apnoea is called continuous positive airway pressure (pictured). Patients wear a face mask while sleeping which pumps air into the mouth and nose to ensure the windpipe stays open
These changes increase the chances of the windpipe becoming blocked during sleep.
One of the most common treatments for sleep apnoea is called continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
Patients wear a face mask while sleeping which pumps air into the mouth and nose to ensure the windpipe stays open.
However, CPAP cannot cure sleep apnoea, and many users find the machine uncomfortable.
‘CPAP is very effective but it’s fairly burdensome for the patient,’ says Dr Turnbull.
Experts believe tirzepatide could be a possible alternative to CPAP after a US study involving nearly 500 obese participants concluded that the jab reduced sleep apnoea symptoms by nearly two-thirds.
Sleep apnoea studies often observe the number of obstructive ‘events’ patients experience – the amount of times they stop breathing.
The new findings, published by the drug’s developer Eli Lilly, show patients given tirzepatide experienced about 30 fewer events per hour than those who didn’t have the treatment.
Crucially, this was roughly similar to the benefits seen in patients using CPAP.
Experts say these striking results are due to the weight loss seen in the participants, who, on average, lost around a fifth of their body weight.
Tirzepatide mimics the GLP-1 hormone in the gut that helps with the release of insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar. It also supresses appetite, leading to weight loss.
‘Many sleep apnoea patients respond well to CPAP and would prefer to be drug-free,’ says Kath Hope, founder of the charity Hope2Sleep.
‘But for those who struggle with CPAP and are living with untreated sleep apnoea, this could be an excellent option.’