University of Arizona Launches $14 Million Sleep Apnea Clinical Trial

A new $14 million study funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute will conduct the first head-to-head comparison of three primary obstructive sleep apnea treatments. Led by the University of Arizona, the five-year trial aims to track 2,400 patients to refine clinical guidelines for the common sleep disorder.

The research, directed by Dr. Sairam Parthasarathy of the University of Arizona Center for Sleep, Circadian & Neuroscience Research, will evaluate CPAP therapy, mandibular advancement devices, and a pharmacological combination of atomoxetine and oxybutynin. Over a 12-month observation period, investigators will assess critical health markers including daytime sleepiness, blood pressure, patient quality of life, and treatment adherence.

Four major academic institutions are participating: the University of Arizona, Stanford Medicine, the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. To address potential barriers in treatment access, the study has partnered with Daybreak, a sleep solutions company that will provide standardized oral appliance therapy and patient support services across all sites. By utilizing a uniform onboarding and clinical support model, the researchers intend to reduce variability and ensure high-quality data collection across the diverse patient group.