Sleep Apnea Treatment May Improve Glucose Levels

Sleep Apnea Treatment May Improve Glucose Levels

Sleep well, live well is what a new study suggests. The findings, presented at the American Thoracic Society’s 2013 International Conference in Philadelphia in late May, suggest that the treatment of sleep apnea in patients with prediabetes markedly improves glucose levels, thus reducing the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, or stroke.

Sleep apnea is a condition in which the airway becomes constricted during sleep, stimulating a stress response in the body. The stress response releases hormones that can raise glucose levels.

Undiagnosed or untreated elevated glucose levels—also known as hyperglycemia—increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, as well as eye, kidney, and nerve damage.

The study, led by Sushmita Pamidi, MD, of the Department of Medicine at McGill University in Montreal, included 39 adult subjects who had previously been diagnosed with prediabetes and sleep apnea. In a randomized 2-week study, participants received either continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment or a placebo tablet. All subjects slept in the research laboratory for the duration of the study, allowing investigators to closely monitor their use of the CPAP machine. Sleep patterns and other health statistics were also noted.

Each subject was tested for glucose tolerance, insulin secretion, and insulin sensitivity before and after treatment. At the end of the study period, participants who received CPAP treatment demonstrated improved glucose metabolisms. The researchers hope their study model will be adopted for larger clinical trials to determine whether patients with prediabetes can delay development of type 2 diabetes through sleep apnea treatment.