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Study · Randomized controlled trial · n = 40 · 2026

5 results

Exploratory Analysis of Liraglutide Effects on Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Health-Related Quality of Life in Individuals With Obesity and COPD: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomised Controlled Trial.

Wolsing SK, Dogan ADA, Juhl CB, Hess S, Jensen TT, Bladbjerg EM, Hilberg O

Clinical obesity1 Apr 2026

PMID41871584 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC13008477 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1111/cob.70079 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-41871584
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Summary

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.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study5

5 results from studies that gave the peptide. 5 results from people.

  1. 01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In people with overweight or obesity and COPD, liraglutide reduced apnea-hypopnea index versus placebo (baseline-adjusted difference -9.87 events/h, 95% CI -19.5 to -0.247; p=0.044).

    In plain wordsIn people with overweight or obesity and COPD, liraglutide lowered apnea episodes more than placebo.

    Peptide
    Liraglutide
    Outcome
    DecreaseApnea-Hypopnea Index
    Study

    n = 40

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Analysis
    Exploratory
    Outcome group
    Sleep · Sleep
    Studied dose
    3.0 mg · subcutaneous · 40 weeksAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    Baseline-adjusted apnea-hypopnea index difference
    −9.87 events/h
    versus placebo; 95% CI -19.5 to -0.247; p=0.044

    Source sentences

    Summary
    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.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    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).
    Summary · context
    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.
  2. 02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In people with overweight or obesity and COPD, liraglutide reduced oxygen-desaturation index versus placebo (baseline-adjusted difference -10.16 events/h, 95% CI -19.29 to -1.03; p=0.029).

    In plain wordsIn people with overweight or obesity and COPD, liraglutide lowered oxygen desaturation more than placebo.

    Peptide
    Liraglutide
    Outcome
    DecreaseOxygen Desaturation Index
    Study

    n = 40

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Analysis
    Exploratory
    Outcome group
    Sleep · Sleep
    Studied dose
    3.0 mg · subcutaneous · 40 weeksAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    Baseline-adjusted oxygen-desaturation index difference
    −10.16 events/h
    versus placebo; 95% CI -19.29 to -1.03; p=0.029

    Source sentences

    Summary
    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.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    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).
    Summary · context
    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.
  3. 03HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In people with overweight or obesity and COPD, liraglutide produced no significant change in Epworth Sleepiness Scale score.

    In plain wordsIn people with overweight or obesity and COPD, liraglutide did not significantly change sleepiness.

    Peptide
    Liraglutide
    Outcome
    No significant changeDaytime sleepiness
    Study

    n = 40

    Analysis
    Exploratory
    Outcome group
    Sleep · Sleep
    Studied dose
    3.0 mg · subcutaneous · 40 weeksAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    ESS scores did not change significantly.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    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).
    Summary · context
    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.
  4. 04HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In people with overweight or obesity and COPD, liraglutide improved the SF-36 General Health domain.

    In plain wordsIn people with overweight or obesity and COPD, liraglutide improved general health scores.

    Peptide
    Liraglutide
    Outcome
    Direction not reportedGeneral Health Perception
    Study

    n = 40

    Analysis
    Exploratory
    Outcome group
    Quality of life · Whole body
    Studied dose
    3.0 mg · subcutaneous · 40 weeksAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Significant improvements were observed in the SF-36v2 subdomains General Health Perception and Role Physical.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    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).
    Summary · context
    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.
  5. 05HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In people with overweight or obesity and COPD, liraglutide improved the SF-36 Role Physical domain.

    In plain wordsIn people with overweight or obesity and COPD, liraglutide improved physical-role scores.

    Peptide
    Liraglutide
    Outcome
    Direction not reportedRole Physical
    Study

    n = 40

    Analysis
    Exploratory
    Outcome group
    Quality of life · Whole body
    Studied dose
    3.0 mg · subcutaneous · 40 weeksAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Significant improvements were observed in the SF-36v2 subdomains General Health Perception and Role Physical.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    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).
    Summary · context
    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.

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Version 2Current

    12 Oct 2026, 11:11 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 1

    9 Oct 2026, 03:04 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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