Impact of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Current Treatments on the Development and Progression of Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes mellitus remains a growing health concern, affecting more than 420 million people globally. Preventing and treating diabetes require a better understanding of the associated risk factors. Sleep-disordered breathing, especially obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is likely a contributor to the pathogenesis and aggravation of poor glycemic control. We review key epidemiological data that address the link between OSA and type 2 diabetes and present the current proposed pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this association. Several biological pathways are linking OSA and an increased propensity to diabetes. We review the impact of current treatment strategies for OSA based on the association between diabetes and sleep apnea.