Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on glycated hemoglobin in patients with type 2 diabetes and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

INTRODUCTION Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes that adversely impacts glycemic control. However, there is little evidence about the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on glycemic control in patients with diabetes. AIM Assess the effect of CPAP on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes and OSA. METHODS it was a prospective study including type 2 diabetic patients with OSA and a CPAP therapy indication. All participants had HbA1c measurement at baseline (T0) and 2 months after the onset of CPAP (T1) with a compliance ≥ 4 hours / night. Patients who changed anti-diabetic treatment during follow-up were excluded. The HbA1c level goal was ≤ 7%. RESULTS Thirty patients were included (4 men and 26 women) with a mean age of 61.3 ± 8.8 years. The mean diabetes duration was 5.8 ± 3.7 years. Twenty-four patients had poorly controlled diabetes. Associated comorbidities were dominated by hypertension (n=22) and obesity (n=22). The mean apnea hypopnea index was 38.0 ± 12.7/ hour. Two months after the CPAP use, a significant decrease of 1.1 ± 0.8 % in the mean HbA1c level was observed (HbA1c: T0= 8.9 ± 1.5 % vs T1=7.8 ± 1.1 %; p<0.001). This rate was significantly correlated with the body weight (r = 0.51, p = 0.003), the body mass index (r = 0.42, p = 0.02) and the HbA1c level at baseline (r = 0, 76, p <0.001). The only factor associated with glycemic control improvement was an initial HbA1c level > 9% (Odds Ratio = 8.3, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION CPAP therapy improved diabetes control in type 2 diabetic patients with OSA, in particular in those with an initial HbA1c> 9%.