Hyperglycemic Profiles in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Effects of PAP Therapy

Research over the last decade has shown that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition in people with diabetes. Observational and experimental evidence also indicates that intermittent hypoxemia and recurrent arousals in OSA may alter glucose metabolism and worsen glycemic control. However, the impact of treating OSA with positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy on glycemic variability and control is not well defined. Adequately powered randomized clinical trials have yet to be performed to demonstrate whether PAP therapy for OSA in diabetics can improve glycemic variability (and control), decrease blood pressure, and reverse endothelial dysfunction. The overarching goal of this study is to determine whether PAP therapy for OSA in diabetics leads to improvements in (a) glycemic variability as assessed by self-monitoring of blood glucose and continuous monitoring of glucose; (b) glycosylated hemoglobin; (c) blood pressure; (d) endothelial function; (e) serum and urinary biomarkers; and (f) dyslipidemia.