Epidemiological and pathophysiological evidence supporting links between obstructive sleep apnoea and Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Singapore Med J. 2019 Feb;60(2):54-56. doi: 10.11622/smedj.2019015.

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are common diseases. The global prevalence of OSA is between 2% and 7% in general population cohorts. The worldwide prevalence of T2DM among adults (aged 20-79 years) was estimated to be 6.4%. The concurrent presence of OSA and T2DM can be expected in the same patient, given their high prevalence and similar predisposition. We reviewed the overlapping pathophysiology of OSA and T2DM in this article.

Keywords: diabetes mellitus; obstructive sleep apnoea; pathophysiology; sleep-disordered breathing.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / epidemiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / complications*
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / epidemiology
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / physiopathology*
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / therapy
  • Young Adult