Metabolic outcomes in adults with type 2 diabetes and sleep disorders

Insomnia is frequently co-morbid with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA); the effect of insomnia or co-morbid insomnia and OSA (OSA + I) on associated metabolic outcomes in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains unclear. This study in adults with T2D compared metabolic outcomes among persons with OSA, insomnia, or OSA + I. This study analyzed baseline data from the Diabetes Sleep Treatment Trial of persons recruited for symptoms of OSA or poor sleep quality. Home sleep studies determined OSA presence and severity. Insomnia was evaluated using the Insomnia Severity Index. Height and weight to calculate body mass index (BMI) and blood for laboratory values were obtained. Multivariate general linear models were used to examine the impact of the type of sleep disorder and sociodemographic, lifestyle, and sleep risk factors on metabolic outcomes. Participants (N = 253) were middle-aged (56.3 ± 10.5 years), white (60.5%), obese (mean BMI of 35.3 ± 7.1 kg/m2), and male (51.4%) with poor glucose control (mean HbA1c of 8.0 ± 1.8%). Most participants had OSA + I (42.7%) or insomnia only (41.0%). HbA1c and BMI differed among the sleep disorder groups. In addition, in the adjusted models, having insomnia only, compared to OSA only, was associated on average with higher HbA1c levels (b = 1.08 ± 0.40, p < 0.007) and lower BMI (b =  − 7.03 ± 1.43, p < 0.001). Findings suggest that insomnia frequently co-exists with OSA, is independently associated with metabolic outcomes in adults with T2D, and should be considered in investigations of the effects of OSA in persons with T2D. Diabetes-Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment Trial (NCT01901055), https: Clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01901055; Registration date: July 17, 2013.