Glycemic control in persons with diabetes and sleep apnea

What is it about?

In patients with diabetes glycemic control is associated with risk of chronic complications. We have showed that in those with sleep apnea syndrome, HbA1c, a measure of glycemic control, is related to hypoxemia and those with lower levels of oxygen saturation during sleep have worse glycemic control, independent of diabetes treatment and diabetes duration. We found no relationship between glycemic control and sleep apnea severity, as assessed by apnea-hypopnea index (number of apnea and hypopnea episodes/hour of sleep)

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Why is it important?

Our findings show that sleep apnea treatment strategies should also aim of correcting hypoxemia during sleep. This may improve glycemic control and thus may contribute to prevention of diabetes chronic complications.