Sleep Apnea Symptoms in Diabetics and their First Degree Relatives

Abstract

Background: Sleep apnea is associated with increased risk ofdiabetes mellitus. However, no studies have compared sleep apneasymptoms in diabetic patients and their first degree relatives.The purpose of our study was to investigate high risk for sleepapnea syndrome, in diabetics and their first degree relatives forprevention of diabetes in family.Methods: As a part of a cohort study, all of diabetic and their firstdegree relatives who came for glucose control in diabetes clinicwere invited to take part in the survey. Two thousand, four hundredand sixty‑two individuals (82% of invited) agreed to fill out theBerlin and Epworth sleep questionnaire. Participants consisted of2462 subjects of 15–70 years of age, both males and females withdiabetes and family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus. A total of1234 participants had diabetes and 11,231 were relatives of diabeticpatients. High risk for sleep apnea regarding Berlin questionnaire andEpworth sleepiness scale, diabetic and relative were analyzed.Results: Prevalences of high risk for sleep apnea were higheramong diabetics than relatives (P‑value<0.001). In a multipleregression analysis, ‘‘age, body mass index, education, high bloodpressure’’ were risk factor for sleep apnea symptoms while isolatedblood glucose level was not by Berlin questionnaire. By Epworthsleep scale only education level was a risk factor for sleep apneasymptoms while isolated blood glucose level was not risk factor.Conclusions: Sleep apnea symptoms may not have significantdifference between diabetics and their relatives. We need morestudy on sleep apnea in the family of diabetic patients. We hopethat more studies on mentioned field may help prevention ofdiabetes in their family.Keywords: Diabetes, first degree relatives, Iran, sleep apnea