Sleep Apnea Symptoms in Diabetics and their First Degree Relatives

Abstract

Background: Sleep apnea is associated with increased risk of diabetes mellitus. However, no studies have compared sleep apnea symptoms in diabetic patients and their first degree relatives. The purpose of our study was to investigate high risk for sleep apnea syndrome, in diabetics and their first degree relatives for prevention of diabetes in family.

Methods: As a part of a cohort study, all of diabetic and their first degree relatives who came for glucose control in diabetes clinic were invited to take part in the survey. Two thousand, four hundred and sixty-two individuals (82% of invited) agreed to fill out the Berlin and Epworth sleep questionnaire. Participants consisted of 2462 subjects of 15-70 years of age, both males and females with diabetes and family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus. A total of 1234 participants had diabetes and 11,231 were relatives of diabetic patients. High risk for sleep apnea regarding Berlin questionnaire and Epworth sleepiness scale, diabetic and relative were analyzed.

Results: Prevalences of high risk for sleep apnea were higher among diabetics than relatives (P-value<0.001). In a multiple regression analysis, "age, body mass index, education, high blood pressure" were risk factor for sleep apnea symptoms while isolated blood glucose level was not by Berlin questionnaire. By Epworth sleep scale only education level was a risk factor for sleep apnea symptoms while isolated blood glucose level was not risk factor.

Conclusions: Sleep apnea symptoms may not have significant difference between diabetics and their relatives. We need more study on sleep apnea in the family of diabetic patients. We hope that more studies on mentioned field may help prevention of diabetes in their family.

Keywords: Diabetes; Iran; first degree relatives; sleep apnea.