BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is strongly associated with obesity, and weight loss is a cornerstone of its management. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), are a class of medications that induce significant weight loss and have shown promise in improving OSA severity. PURPOSE: This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the pooled efficacy of GLP-1 RAs on sleep-disordered breathing, body weight, and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with OSA. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of four randomized controlled trials were performed, comparing GLP-1 RA therapy with placebo in adults with OSA. The primary outcomes analyzed were the mean differences in the change from baseline for the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), body weight, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. RESULTS: In the pooled analysis, treatment with GLP-1 RAs was associated with a robust and statistically significant reduction in AHI (mean difference [MD]: -13.89 events/hour; p < 0.01). Therapy also resulted in substantial weight loss compared to placebo (MD: -12.46 kg; p < 0.01). For cardiovascular parameters, the use of GLP-1 RA was associated with a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (mean difference [MD]: -4.86 mmHg; p < 0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: GLP-1 receptor agonists significantly reduce OSA severity, promote substantial weight loss, and lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and obesity. These findings support the role of GLP-1 RAs as a multifaceted and effective therapeutic intervention for managing OSA.
Keywords: Apnea-hypopnea index; Body mass index; GLP-1 receptor agonists; Meta-analysis; Metabolic effects; Obstructive sleep apnea; Weight loss.