The Link Between Sleep Apnea and Type 2 Diabetes Onset

OSA is a condition in which there is a lack of adequate air flow in the airway during sleep for greater than 10 and up to 120 seconds, due to a partially or fully collapsed airway, leading to sometimes profound drops in oxygen levels. Since OSA is also a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality, it is extremely important for patients with symptoms of sleep apnea to be treated to reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes as well as other serious medical conditions. Current reports suggest that people with a diagnosis of OSA are up to nine times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those without OSA. Although the mechanisms linking OSA with type 2 diabetes are not clearly understood, research shows that sleep apnea is independently associated with alterations in glucose levels, which can increase patients’ risk of developing type 2 diabetes. OSA is also linked with obesity, which is strongly associated with type 2 diabetes. The good news is that the most commonly used OSA treatment, continuous positive airway pressure therapy or CPAP, results not only in improved sleep and reduced symptoms of sleep apnea, but also in a significant reduction in patients’ glucose levels4. CPAP treatment involves wearing a mask that delivers a steady stream of air through the nose during sleep, which prevents airway collapse and obstruction. In a study conducted by Dr. James Herdegen, associate professor of medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago and medical director of the UIC Center for Sleep and Ventilatory Disorders, patients who used CPAP for at least 4 hours per night showed significant reductions in glucose levels. The reduction seen was similar to that achieved by treatment with medication. "With such clear evidence for the high risk of sleep apnea among patients with type 2 diabetes, it is encouraging that our data show patients can achieve better control of their glucose levels with CPAP therapy," Herdegen said. This treatment is beneficial to patients with sleep apnea as well as those with diabetes, because patients with diabetes who reduce their glucose levels can reduce their risk of developing late-stage complications including cardiovascular, kidney, eye and nerve disease. The message for patients is clear: if you have sleep apnea, getting treatment will improve your OSA symptoms, improve control of your glucose levels, and reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other short- and long-term medical conditions.