Liraglutide reduces OSA severity in patients with COPD and obesity in exploratory analysis

Photo by Cht Gsml / Unsplash

Clinical obesity Published April 8, 2026 Medically reviewed May 26, 2026 Study authors: Wolsing Sofie Krogh, Dogan Ayse Dudu Altintas, Juhl Claus Bogh, Hess Søren, Jensen Torben Tranborg, … PubMed ↗ DOI ↗ By Dr. Amelia Tan, PhD · Internal Medicine & Chronic Disease

Key Takeaway

Interpret exploratory signal linking liraglutide to reduced OSA severity in COPD with obesity cautiously.

This secondary exploratory analysis of a 40-week randomized controlled trial examined the effects of liraglutide on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in 40 adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and overweight or obesity from two outpatient clinics. Participants received subcutaneous liraglutide (3.0 mg) or placebo. At baseline, OSA was highly prevalent (84% overall).

Liraglutide was associated with significant reductions in OSA severity compared to placebo. The mean baseline-adjusted difference in the Apnea-Hypopnea Index was -9.87 events/h (95% CI -19.5 to -0.247, p=0.044), and in the Oxygen Desaturation Index was -10.16 events/h (95% CI -19.29 to -1.03, p=0.029). Significant improvements were also observed in the General Health Perception and Role Physical subdomains of the SF-36v2 quality of life measure, but the Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores for daytime sleepiness did not change significantly.

Safety and tolerability data were not reported for this analysis. The primary limitation is that this was a secondary exploratory analysis, not a pre-specified primary outcome, which increases the risk of chance findings. The small sample size and specific population (COPD with obesity) limit generalizability.

For practice, this analysis suggests a potential signal that liraglutide may reduce OSA severity in this complex patient group, but the evidence is preliminary. Clinicians should await confirmatory studies designed with OSA as a primary endpoint before considering this an established treatment effect.

Study Details

Study typeRct

Sample sizen = 40

EvidenceLevel 2

PublishedApr 2026

PMID41871584

View Original Abstract ↓

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obesity, and all three are linked to reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Coexistence of OSA and COPD increases morbidity and mortality compared to each condition alone. Liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist, may influence respiratory and HRQoL outcomes. In this secondary exploratory analysis of a randomised controlled trial including individuals with overweight or obesity and COPD, we evaluated effects of liraglutide on OSA prevalence and severity, daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale, ESS), and HRQoL (Short Form-36 version 2, SF-36v2). In a double-blinded randomised controlled trial, 40 participants with overweight or obesity and COPD from two outpatient clinics were randomised to liraglutide (3.0 mg, subcutaneous) or placebo for 40 weeks. Cardiorespiratory monitoring, SF-36v2 and ESS questionnaires were conducted at baseline and end of treatment. OSA was diagnosed in 84% of participants (70% in the liraglutide group and 85% in the placebo group). Compared to placebo, liraglutide significantly reduced OSA severity, with mean baseline-adjusted differences of -9.87 events/h (β 95% CI -19.5; -0.247, p = 0.044) in Apnea-Hypopnea Index and -10.16 events/h (β 95% CI -19.29; -1.03, p = 0.029) in Oxygen Desaturation Index. ESS scores did not change significantly. Significant improvements were observed in the SF-36v2 subdomains General Health Perception and Role Physical. OSA is common among individuals with overweight or obesity and COPD. Forty weeks of liraglutide treatment were associated with reduced OSA severity and improvements in selected HRQoL domains in this population.