Dr Zubia Rafique, Dr Rida mazhar, Dr Irfan Shabbir
Objective: Untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a risk factor for hypertension and cardiac events and is associated with an increase in mortality. Recent studies indicate that most people with type 2 diabetes also have OSA. The goal of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and severity of OSA and the risk factors that contribute to it among people with chronic and severe type 2 diabetes. Methods: 203 people with type 2 diabetes (mean age: 54 ± 8 years, 145 men, 58 women, HbA1c ≥7% [53 mmol / mol]) were included in the study who attended a specialized hospital for diabetes; all underwent a complete diabetic evaluation and the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was used to evaluate the OSA. Results: 23.65% of the study subjects had OSA (IAH ≥15). OSA was more frequent among men than women. BMI was significantly higher among subjects with OSA (P = 0.01). People with OSA had a higher percentage of diabetic complications such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), retinopathy and neuropathy. Hypertension has been identified as an independent predictor of OSA. Conclusions: the prevalence of OSA has been higher in this study than in the other studies so far. Since OSA is treatable, people with diabetes should be screened for this condition to reduce the risk of CVD.