OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA: A PREDICTOR OF ABNORMAL GLUCOSE METABOLISM

Abstract

Background: Obstructive sleep apnoea can be considered as a hidden killer in our society due to lack of awareness and research, despite its multiple comorbidities and complications like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and sudden deaths. Studies are showing conflicting results for relationship of apnoea and glucose metabolism. The objective of this study was to explore a possible association between obstructive sleep apnoea and glucose metabolism in our local population. Methods: Potential case subjects were scrutinized from Sleep laboratory. Verbal and written informed consent, physical examination, history and Epworth sleep scale score calculation was carried out. After overnight polysomnography, 50 confirmed sleep apnoea subjects were selected. 50 matched controls, without any sleep related complain were selected after informed consent, history and physical examination. Fasting blood sample was collected from all. Blood sugar levels were compared in both groups. Comparison was also done with severity of apnoea in mild, moderate and severe apnoea patients. Results: The mean fasting blood sugar was significantly higher in cases (p=0.007). Frequency of population with impaired glucose metabolism was also significantly higher in OSA group (p=0.001). Disturbed glucose metabolism was also found to be associated with severity of apnoea, it was 32% in controls while 50%, 76.5% and 61.9% in mild, moderate and severe apnoea respectively. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that obstructive sleep apnoea is associated with a higher disturbance in glucose metabolism; it is also associated with severity of OSA in our population.

Pak J Physiol 2018;14(4):5–8