Managing narcolepsy often requires the use of specialized medications, but understanding the potential risks of these treatments is critical for patient safety. A recent study compares the intermediate-term risk of developing hypertension in normotensive patients with narcolepsy who initiate sodium oxybate treatment versus those who do not. This research offers valuable insights into the cardiovascular implications of sodium oxybate in this patient population.
This retrospective cohort study used data from the MarketScan administrative claims database, covering a period from January 2014 to February 2020. The study included adults aged 18 and older with narcolepsy who were free from hypertension and antihypertensive medication use prior to the study. The sodium oxybate (SXB) cohort was compared to a control group, with patients matched 1:2 based on propensity scores to ensure balanced baseline characteristics. The primary outcomes measured were the incidence of new-onset hypertension or initiation of antihypertensive medication and the incidence of hypertension diagnosis alone.
The results revealed that patients in the SXB cohort had a higher risk of new-onset hypertension or antihypertensive medication initiation compared to the control group. These findings suggest that sodium oxybate use in normotensive patients with narcolepsy may increase cardiovascular risks, underscoring the need for careful monitoring.