CPAP improved glucose in patients with prediabetes, sleep apnea

Patients with prediabetes could see improved glucose control with proper treatment for sleep apnea, according to data presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference.

“Sleep apnea, a condition associated with breathing disturbances during sleep, is known to be associated with abnormalities in glucose metabolism, but whether treatment of sleep apnea has any beneficial effects on glucose metabolism is still under investigation,” Sushmita Pamidi, MD, of the department of medicine at McGill University in Montreal, said in a press release. “We have studied patients with sleep apnea and prediabetes. ... We found that optimal treatment of sleep apnea with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for 2 weeks led to significant improvements in glucose levels following an oral glucose challenge without affecting insulin secretion, suggesting an improvement in insulin sensitivity.”

According to Pamidi and colleagues, breathing disturbances that occur in patients with sleep apnea have been linked to insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular complications.
The researchers randomly assigned 39 adults (aged at least 45 years, BMI ≥25 kg/m²) with prediabetes and obstructive sleep apnea to 2 weeks of CPAP treatment (n=26) or an oral placebo tablet (n=13) 30 minutes before bedtime.

According to data, baseline oral glucose tolerance tests were similar between both groups. Researchers reported that the 2-hour glucose levels and incremental area under the glucose curve during the OGTT decreased significantly after CPAP treatment compared with placebo. However, insulin levels and insulin secretion rates were not different between the groups, data indicate.

“Our study adds to the current literature by demonstrating that CPAP treatment of sleep apnea in patients at risk for developing diabetes may lower this risk, and an assessment for sleep apnea may be appropriate as part of the clinical evaluation of patients with prediabetes,” Pamidi said.

For more information:

Pamidi S. Abstract 39588. Presented at: American Thoracic Society 2013 International Conference; May 17-22, 2013; Philadelphia.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.