2024-09-10 12:15:00
A clinical trial is presented Congress of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) in Vienna has shown that the drug sultiame, currently used to treat epilepsy, can be effective in reducing epilepsy symptoms. obstructive sleep apnea (LAGOON). This discovery opens up new possibilities for the treatment of this condition, which affects millions of people around the world.
Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by frequent snoring, pauses in breathing, and frequent nighttime awakenings. These events not only cause fatigue, but also increase the risk of developing hypertension, stroke, heart disease and type 2 diabetes Despite its high prevalence, many people do not know that they suffer from sleep apnea.
The study, led by Professor Jan Hedner of the Sahlgrenska University Hospital and the University of Gothenburg (Sweden), showed that patients who took let me know They experience fewer breathing pauses and better blood oxygen levels during sleep. In addition, those who sleep during the day see a significant improvement in their condition.
The trial, which included 298 patients with OSA who could not tolerate traditional treatments, was conducted in 28 companies in Spain, France, Belgium, Germany and the Czech Republic. The patients were divided into four groups that received different doses of sultiame, and a placebo group. The results showed a 17.8% to 39.9% reduction in the frequency of respiratory arrests, depending on the dose administered.
Professor Hedner highlighted the need to find alternatives to mechanical treatments, such as CPAP machines, which many patients find difficult to use. “Sultiame may be an effective option for those who cannot tolerate these treatments,” he said.
Despite the encouraging results, Hedner emphasized that a phase III study is needed to confirm these beneficial effects in a larger group of patients.
Promising results
Professor Sophia Schiza, an expert in sleep apnea, called the findings “promise», but noted the importance of continuing research to understand the long-term effects of treatment.
This research represents an important advance in the search for more personalized and effective treatments for sleep apnea, a condition that affects the quality of life and health of those who suffer from it.
This drug can be added to another that has also been shown to be effective in controlling the symptoms of sleep apnea. This is presented in a clinical trial conducted on almost 500 patients, published in ‘New England Journal of MedicineWith a drug known to control type 2 diabetes, tirzepatide.
The results demonstrate the treatment’s potential to improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world affected by OSA.
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