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Sleep-disordered breathing symptoms linked with type 2 diabetes
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Increased risks for type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance in older adults are strongly linked with sleep-disordered breathing, according to recent study findings published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Linn Beate Strand, MSc, PhD, of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and colleagues evaluated data from the Cardiovascular Health Study on 5,888 U.S. adults aged 65 years or older to determine the link between sleep-disordered breathing (SDB; ie, loud snoring, stopping breathing for a while during sleep and daytime sleepiness) and insomnia with glucose metabolism and incident type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms of insomnia and SDB were reported yearly from 1989 to 1994. All participants underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) between 1989 and 1990. During the years 1989 to 1990, 1992 to 1993, 1994 to 1995, 1996 to 1997 and 1998 to 1999, fasting glucose levels were measured, and medication use was evaluated yearly.
Researchers found a trend toward increased fasting glucose levels with increasing numbers of SDB symptoms. Higher 2-hour glucose levels were found among participants who experienced daytime sleepiness. The 2-hour glucose levels were also higher with increasing numbers of SDB symptoms. Lower fasting glucose levels were found among participants with sleep initiation and sleep maintenance problems. Lower fasting glucose levels were also found with cumulative numbers of insomnia symptoms (P for trend = .003).
Observed apnea (HR = 1.84; 95% CI, 1.19-2.86), snoring (HR = 1.27; 95% CI, 0.95-1.71) and daytime sleepiness (HR = 1.54; 95% CI, 1.13-2.12) were all associated with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes development. No association was found between insomnia and risk for incident type 2 diabetes.
“For observed apnea, more recent exposure tended to be more strongly associated with subsequent risk of type 2 diabetes than chronic exposure,” the researchers wrote. “The associations persisted after adjustment for total and central adiposity, suggesting that SDB may impair glucose metabolism independent of body fat. In contrast to previous studies, we found no consistent association between the insomnia symptoms and glucose metabolism or incident type 2 diabetes.” – by Amber Cox
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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