Obstructive sleep apnea is related to several metabolic abnormalities, including diabetes, insulin resistance, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Obstructive sleep apnea causes periodic and frequent lapses in breathing during sleep. It is a potentially life-threatening condition.
As people with obstructive sleep apnea inhale, on occasion, the tissues in their throat close off the airways. Obesity can worsen the problem, as fat tissue narrows the airways even further.
The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with type 2 diabetes has been reported as 23% to 36% and in patients with BMI greater than 35kg kg/m2, prevalence has been reported to be as high as 70%.
Higher apnea-hypopnea indexes in diabetic patients with obstructive sleep apnea are associated with poorer glucose control.
In patients with diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea may increase the risk for diabetic peripheral neuropathy perhaps due to increased oxidative stress and impaired microvascular regulation.
Obstructive sleep apnea
