Could a History of Depression Change Outcomes for Sleep Apnea Patients Treated for EDS?

New research looked at whether a history of depression changed outcomes in patients with sleep apnea or narcolepsy who use Sunosi to control excessive daytime sleepiness.

Depression history is prevalent in people with narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea, but regardless of mental health status, Sunosi (solriamfetol) improves excessive daytime sleepiness in both these patient populations, according to new research.

The research, published recently in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, also found that concomitant antidepressant use did not affect response to solriamfetol.

“This study suggests that safety and efficacy of solriamfetol for treating excessive daytime sleepiness in narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea are not affected by depression history,” the authors wrote. “Moreover, the findings emphasize the high prevalence of depression in people with sleep disorders and suggest that increased awareness of this association may have clinical significance.”

This secondary analysis included data from two 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in adult patients with excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea. The analysis showed that treatment with Solriamfetol improved excessive daytime sleepiness symptoms both in patients with and without a clinical history of depression, compared to placebo.

The results also confirmed earlier findings of a high prevalence (20%– 35%) of a history of depression in participants with narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea, and suggest that increased awareness of this association may have clinical significance. Common treatment-emergent adverse events were also similar in those with and without a history of depression.

Solriamfetol is the first and only dual-acting dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (DNRI) indicated to improve wakefulness in adult patients with excessive daytime sleepiness due to narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea, according to a statement from Axsome Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company developing and delivering novel therapies for the management of central nervous system (CNS) disorders.

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