Both obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and type 2 diabetes mellitus are commonly seen in older adults. Over the last decade, there has been increasing recognition that OSA is highly prevalent in persons with type 2 diabetes and related metabolic conditions such as insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. Intermittent hypoxemia and recurrent arousals in OSA trigger a repertoire of pathophysiological events, which can in turn alter glucose homeostasis and possibly increase the risk for type 2 diabetes. Conversely, there is evidence that type 2 diabetes may alter the progression and expression of sleep-disordered breathing.
Keywords: Aging; Central sleep apnea; Obstructive sleep apnea; Type 2 diabetes.
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