Screening for sleep-disordered breathing in people with type 1 diabetes by combining polysomnography with glucose variability assessment

Aims There are few published data on sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in type 1 diabetes (T1DM). Here, we used a combination of polysomnography and glucose variability assessment to screen for SDB. Methods In a prospective, single-centre study, adults with T1DM underwent polysomnography and continuous glucose monitoring during a single night. We measured high glucose variability and the occurrence of a low or very low glucose level. Mild and moderate-to-severe SDB were defined as an apnoea-hypopnoea index above 5/h and 15/h, respectively. Results We studied 46 patients (25 men; median age: 42 [35–54]; diabetes duration: 18 years [13–29]; body mass index (BMI): 24.8 kg/m 2 [23.0–28.9]). SDB was present in 17 patients (37.0%) overall (mild SDB: n = 9; moderate-to-severe SDB; n = 8). When compared with the absence of SDB or mild SDB, moderate-to-severe SDB was associated with a higher BMI (29.8 kg/m 2 [27.8–31.1]) and a longer diabetes duration (26 years [18–31]) but not with above-target glucose variability or more sleep disorder symptoms. Conversely, sleep disorder symptoms were not more frequent in patients with above-target glucose variability. Conclusion SDB was highly prevalent and associated with obesity. According to the methods used here, sleep disorders were not associated with above-target glucose variability or low glucose values.