Sleep Apnea and Diabetes: Insights into the Emerging Epidemic

The rampant diabetes pandemic over the last few decades has been associated with an increased rise in cardiovascular events and deaths. Risk factors such as obesity, family history of diabetes, decreased physical activity, and aging are among the most common in the development of diabetes. Emerging evidence in the last 10 years has suggested that sleep apnea is a novel risk factor in the development of diabetes. Associations between diabetes and sleep apnea are supported by both epidemiologic and clinical sleep apnea studies. In this report, we discuss epidemiologic and clinical evidence suggesting that sleep apnea is involved in the pathogenesis of altered glucose metabolism. In light of current evidence, sleep apnea treatment should be incorporated into existing pharmacotherapeutic regimens for optimal management of diabetes among diabetic patients with sleep apnea in order to reduce associated cardiovascular risk. Suggestions to improve practice guidelines in the management of diabetic patients with sleep apnea are provided.