Encyclopedia entry
Sleep apnoea as a comorbidity
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is one of the weight-related comorbidities that counts toward NICE TA1026 NHS Mounjaro eligibility. A formal OSA diagnosis from a sleep study (polysomnography or home sleep test) is required; self-reported snoring or partner-reported breathing pauses are not sufficient on their own.
What counts as an OSA diagnosis
- · Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index (AHI) of 5 or more per hour on a sleep study, plus symptoms (daytime sleepiness, witnessed apnoeas, fatigue), or AHI of 15 or more regardless of symptoms.
- · Diagnosis typically comes from NHS sleep services after GP referral, or via private sleep clinics.
- · CPAP prescription is the standard treatment alongside weight management.
Why the obesity link is strong
Adipose tissue around the upper airway narrows the breathing passage during sleep, particularly when supine. Excess weight is the single strongest modifiable risk factor for OSA. Population data suggests 60 to 70 percent of OSA cases are attributable to overweight or obesity; weight loss often reduces or resolves OSA severity.
SURMOUNT-OSA and the licensed indication
The SURMOUNT-OSA trial (published 2024) showed tirzepatide significantly reduced OSA severity in patients with moderate-to-severe OSA and obesity. On the basis of that data, the FDA added an OSA indication for tirzepatide in December 2024; the MHRA followed with a UK indication in early 2026. This makes Mounjaro one of the few weight-management medications with a formal sleep apnoea indication.
What this means for eligibility
Diagnosed OSA counts as one of the comorbidities in the NICE TA1026 cohort framework. A patient with diagnosed OSA plus type 2 diabetes plus hypertension plus dyslipidaemia hits the Cohort 1 four-comorbidity threshold. The NHS Specialist Weight Management Service may also coordinate with the local sleep service on CPAP withdrawal as weight loss progresses.
Related: NICE TA1026 · NHS GLP-1 access.