Anti-Obesity Pharmacotherapy and Multimodal Interventions Show Promise for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Management

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a significant public health concern, characterized by repetitive upper airway collapse during sleep, leading to intermittent hypoxia, sleep fragmentation, and substantial cardiovascular, neurocognitive, and metabolic morbidities. OSA severity is defined by the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), but clinical management requires a nuanced, multimodal approach considering patient symptoms and comorbidities. Bidirectionally, OSA promotes weight gain through hormonal and metabolic dysregulation, creating a vicious cycle. While CPAP is the gold standard, it doesn't impact underlying obesity, and adherence declines over time. Bariatric surgery is effective but carries perioperative risks and is not universally available, highlighting a critical need for new pharmacotherapeutic options.