Objective To investigate the relationship between serum inflammatory cytokines and atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).Methods One hundred and three patients with type 2 diabetes were divided into OSAHS group (OSAHS group) and type 2 diabetes mellitus group (non-OSAHS group) according to the results of polysomnography(PSG),and 35 healthy subjects were selected as control group.Serum levels of total cholesterol,triglyceride,fasting plasma glucose(FPG),glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) were measured,and their relationship with OSAHS were analyzed.Results The waist circumference,BMI,FPG,HbA1c,IMT,TNF-α and CRP in OSAHS group were significantly higher than those in non-OSAHS group (P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that,IMT was independently associated with TNF-α and hs-CRP.Conclusion Patients of T2DM with OSAHS have poor blood glucose control and higher incidence of atherosclerosis.High levels of TNF-α and hs-CRP may be involved in the formation of atherosclerosis and plaque occurrence and development.