Obstructive sleep apnoea and Type 2 diabetes mellitus: are they connected?

Yingjuan Mok; Chee Wei Tan; Hang Siang Wong; Choon How How; Kah Leong Alvin Tan; Pon Poh Hsu

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Obstructive sleep apnoea and Type 2 diabetes mellitus: are they connected?

Author: Yingjuan MOK ¹ ; Chee Wei TAN ² ; Hang Siang WONG ¹ ; Choon How HOW ³ ; Kah Leong Alvin TAN ⁴ ; Pon Poh HSU ⁴
Author Information

1. Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
2. Family Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
3. Care and Health Integration, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
4. Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: diabetes mellitus; obstructive sleep apnoea; sleep-disordered breathing
From:Singapore medical journal 2017;58(4):179-183
CountrySingapore
Language:English
Abstract: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), a sleep-related breathing condition, is diagnosed based on a patient's apnoea-hypopnea index from a sleep study, and the presence or absence of symptoms. Diabetes mellitus (DM) and OSA share a significant common risk factor, obesity, with all three conditions contributing to the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. The pathophysiological links between OSA and DM are still unclear, but intermittent hypoxia may be an important mechanism. More awareness of the possible link between OSA and DM is needed, given their increasing prevalence locally and worldwide. Continuous positive airway pressure is the standard treatment for OSA, while weight loss through dietary and lifestyle modifications is important to holistically manage patients with either condition. There is currently insufficient evidence to support the benefits of screening every diabetic patient for OSA. However, diabetic patients with symptoms suggestive of OSA should be referred to a sleep specialist for further evaluation.