Prevalence of Obesity and Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea among People with Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background and Objective: Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We aimed to assess the prevalence of obesity and risk of OSA among people with T2DM. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, some basic, anthropometric, and physiological characteristics of 773 patients were assessed during their first visit to Diabetes Clinic of Sabzevar City, Iran. Risk of OSA was determined using the Berlin Questionnaire. Moreover, relationships among risk of OSA and basic, anthropometric, and physiological measures were evaluated using logistic regression modeling. Results: Prevalence of overweight and obesity were 44.3% and 42.4%, respectively. Moreover, mean body mass index (BMI) (30.1 kg/m2 vs. 27.8 kg/m2) and the rate of obesity (48.6% vs. 27.8%) were significantly higher in women than in men. The findings of Berlin Questionnaire showed that 73.6% of patients were at high risk for OSA. Patients aged 51 to 60 were at elevated risk for OSA [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.71-7.56]. Obese patients (AOR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.11-3.46) and high systolic blood pressure (SBP) (AOR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.47-3.44) showed significant association with OSA. Conclusion: More than 85% of patients with T2DM were overweight or obese, and nearly three-quarter of them may be at higher risk for OSA. As weight loss, especially through exercise, seems to have beneficial effects not only on OSA severity, but also on consequences of T2DM, weight management should be highly recommended in this population.

Keywords

• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus