By Franklin Delgado
Sleep apnea is a disorder that interferes with breathing during sleep, reducing quality of life. Symptoms include daytime fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. If left untreated, it can lead to cardiovascular and neurological complications.
The standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is the CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) device, which can be uncomfortable and impractical for many patients. This has led to many not receiving adequate treatment.
In this context, an innovative pill, AD109, has been developed and has shown promising results in clinical trials. This medication acts on the neuromuscular mechanisms that cause airway collapse.
Clinical trial results
The phase 3 clinical trial, published in the American Journal of Respiratory an Predominant Care Medicineinvolved 650 patients in the United States and Canada. The results revealed a significant reduction in breathing pauses and apnea severity in the group receiving AD109 compared to placebo.
Patients taking AD109 experienced a 44% decrease in apnea-hypopnea index compared to 18% in the placebo group. Nearly 42% of participants improved to a lower severity category after 26 weeks of treatment.
Finally, some participants reported side effects such as dry mouth, nausea, and insomnia. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is evaluating the approval of AD109, scheduled for 2027.
Risk factors for developing sleep apnea
The main risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing sleep apnea (especially the obstructive one, the most common) are:
Factors related to the body and anatomy
- Overweight/obesity. People with obesity have up to 4 times more risk than those who have abnormal weight; Excess fat around the airways obstructs them.
- Wide collar. Risk increases if the circumference is ≥43 cm in men or ≥38 cm in women (narrower airways).
- narrow airway. It can be natural or due to large tonsils/adenoids (common in children).
- Male sex. The men have 2-3 times more risk than premenopausal women
- Old age. More common in older adults, especially those over 60 years of age.
Lifestyle factors
- Smoking: smokers have up to 3 times more risk due to inflammation and fluid retention in the respiratory tract.
- Alcohol, sedatives and tranquilizers: relax the throat muscles, causing apnea.
- Chronic nasal congestion: allergies or anatomical problems that make it difficult to breathe through the nose.
Medical and genetic factors
- Family history: Genetics affects the brain’s regulation of breathing during sleep.
- Associated diseases: hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart failure, polycystic ovary syndrome, hypothyroidism.
- History of stroke: increased risk of central or mixed apnea.
For the central sleep apnea (less common), specific factors include congestive heart failure and opioid/narcotic use.
Many of these factors (weight, smoking, alcohol consumption) are modifiablewhich allows reducing the risk.
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· Food as a key to helping you sleep: essential nutrients to fall asleep
· Sleep quality not only depends on whether you sleep more than eight hours
· Sleeping apps: benefits and hidden risks
