The Sleep Wellness Center at Griffin Hospital recently launched a new “Sleep Bound” program to provide comprehensive care that may include GLP-1 weight-loss medication to address both obstructive sleep apnea and obesity.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zepbound (tirzepatide) for the treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity when paired with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Griffin’s Sleep Bound program will work with patients to develop an individualized treatment plan that could include Zepbound.
As a Planetree certified patient-centered hospital, Griffin is committed to offering access to innovative healthcare services and trusted health information in a kind and compassionate manner. Griffin is one of the first hospitals in the state to offer this type of revolutionary treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.
“We see that individuals diagnosed with obesity struggle with sleep apnea and CPAP adherence, leading to daytime fatigue, high blood pressure, and Type 2 diabetes” said Dr. Marya Chaisson, medical director of the Sleep Wellness Center at Griffin Hospital.
To qualify for the program, individuals will need to a have a qualifying baseline sleep study (preferably within the last two years), demonstrate moderate to severe sleep apnea, and meet a certain Body Mass Index (BMI) threshold. After significant weight loss, participants will repeat their sleep study to re-evaluate the status of their obstructive sleep apnea.
Eligible patients may qualify for Zepbound with insurance authorization. Patient exclusions from the program include current use of other GLP-1 agonist medications, and insulin-dependent diabetes.
For more information on how to qualify for Sleep Bound, visit griffinhealth.org/sleepbound or contact Pulmonary Specialties at 203-732-7573.
About The Sleep Wellness Center
The Sleep Wellness Center at Griffin Hospital is a comprehensive program featuring advanced care for chronic sleep or wake disorders. The Center is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) as a sleep disorders center, one of only 13 in Connecticut to achieve the Academy’s highest level of accreditation. The Center is staffed by highly trained physicians and polysomnographists specializing in advanced sleep medicine techniques. Under the direction of K. Marya Chaisson, MD, a board certified pulmonary medicine and sleep medicine physician, the center serves approximately 1,300 patients a year, seeking help for sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, snoring, restless leg syndrome, and narcolepsy. Conveniently located on the 1st floor of Griffin Hospital, the four-bed Sleep Wellness Center incorporates Griffin Hospital’s patient-centered Planetree model of care, with beautifully appointed sleep study rooms to increase the comfort of the patient and help ensure a quality sleep study. For more information, visit griffinhealth.org/sleep.