A new approach to treating obstructive sleep apnea has emerged following an international study suggesting that an epilepsy drug could significantly reduce symptoms of the condition.
This advancement could benefit those who struggle with the use of respiratory devices, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, which are the current standard of care.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that affects one in 20 people, according to England’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. It is characterized by interruptions in breathing during sleep, leading to loud snoring and repeated awakenings at night.
This condition not only leads to excessive fatigue during the day, but also increases the risk of suffering from hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
The traditional treatment for this disorder is to use a machine that pumps air through a mask, keeping the airways open. However, Many people abandon this treatment due to the discomfort of sleeping with the device on for long periods of time. Experts are therefore looking for less invasive and easier-to-use alternatives.
In this context, a team of researchers has identified sulthiame, a drug originally intended for the treatment of epilepsy, as a potential solution for those who cannot tolerate CPAP machines. This discovery was presented at the Congress of the European Respiratory Society held in Vienna, Austria, and has generated expectations within the medical community.
Sleep Apnea and CPAP Machines
Professor Jan Hedner from Sahlgrenska University Hospital and the University of Gothenburg, who led the study, explained that the main barrier to treating obstructive sleep apnea is patients’ discomfort with using CPAP machines.
Since this is a condition that affects the quality of life of many people, finding pharmacological options would be a great step towards more efficient management of the disease.
To evaluate the efficacy of sulthiame in treating apnea, researchers conducted a controlled clinical trial with nearly 300 patients from Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany and Spain.
These patients, who did not use CPAP machines, were divided into four groups, three of which received different doses of sulthiame, while the fourth group received a placebo. During the study, researchers measured a variety of parameters such as respiration, blood oxygen levels, heart rate, and brain activity during sleep.
After 12 weeks of treatment, the results were encouraging. Patients receiving the highest doses of sulthiame showed up to a 50% reduction in nocturnal breathing interruptions, as well as having higher blood oxygen levels. This finding suggests that the drug could be a viable alternative for those who suffer from sleep apnea and are unable or unwilling to use CPAP machines.
Despite these promising results, the researchers stress that larger studies are still needed to confirm the long-term effects of sulthiame and to determine whether there is a specific group of patients who might benefit most from this treatment. Hedner and his team suggest that while this drug could be a significant advance, the relationship between sleep apnea and obesity, one of the main causes of the disease, should not be overlooked.
In conclusion, this study opens the door to a possible change in the paradigm of sleep apnea treatment, with the hope that patients will be able to access more comfortable and effective solutions in the near future.
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