The association between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and microvascular complications in well-controlled diabetic patients.
BACKGROUND
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) may promote hyperglycemia and insulin resistance.


OBJECTIVE
We studied the link between sleep apnea and microvascular diabetic complications in veterans with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM-2).


METHODS
A retrospective electronic chart of all veterans referred for sleep studies over a 1-year period was reviewed. Ninety-eight patients with a glycosylated hemoglobin < 6.5% were included in the study. The degree of glycemia (HbA1c) and presence of macro- and microvascular complications were compared with OSAS variables.


METHODS
Statistical analysis examined bivariate associations between OSAS variables and metabolic syndrome parameters.


RESULTS
The apnea hypopnea index was significantly related to diabetic microvascular complications, particularly retinopathy. Oxygen desaturation was significantly and inversely related to microalbuminuria, microvascular complications, retinopathy, and HbA1c.


CONCLUSIONS
Sleep apnea is associated with microvascular complications even in well-controlled DM-2 veterans.


CONCLUSIONS
Screening for OSAS should be considered in patients with DM-2.
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Internal Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA.
Semaan
S
Kosseifi
Beth
B
Bailey
Robert
R
Price
Thomas M
TM
Roy
Ryland P
RP
Byrd
Alan N
AN
Peiris
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000453:epidemiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans