Health-related quality of life in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with different risk for obstructive sleep apnea

PURPOSE: Our study primarily aimed to investigate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with different risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study included 466 adult patients with T2DM on regular visit to Center for Diabetes of University Hospital of Split from April to September 2017. All subjects underwent detailed anamnestical evaluation and physical examination with anthropometric measurements. Additionally, all subjects completed STOP (Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnea, and high blood Pressure) questionnaire to assess risk for OSA, Epworth Sleepiness Scale to assess daytime sleepiness, and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) instrument to evaluate HRQoL. RESULTS: Most subjects (N=312, 67.0%) represented high-risk OSA group based on STOP questionnaire (STOP score ≥2). Statistically significantly lower HRQoL scores in all SF-36 dimensions were found in T2DM patients with high risk for OSA compared to low-risk group (P<0.001). STOP score showed statistically significant negative correlation with all SF-36 dimensions (P<0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis, STOP score was confirmed as statistically significant independent predictor for all SF-36 components, adjusted for body mass index, age, glycated hemoglobin, and T2DM duration (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study found that high proportion of patients with T2DM are at high risk for OSA. Furthermore, we showed that group of T2DM patients with high risk for OSA has lower HRQoL in all SF-36 dimensions compared to low-risk patients.