Endothelial Dysfunction is Related to Glycemic Variability and Quality and Duration of Sleep in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

BACKGROUND: Elevated cardiovascular disease risk in people with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is incompletely understood. Glycemic control, glycemic variability, and sleep quality and duration may relate to cardiovascular disease risk in this population via endothelial dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine relationships among glycemic control, glycemic variability, sleep quality and duration, and endothelial function in adults with T1DM. METHODS: Endothelial function was measured using flow-mediated dilation. Glycemic control and glycemic variability were measured using A1C and a continuous glucose monitor, respectively; sleep quality and duration were measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. RESULTS: Twenty subjects were recruited. Reduced flow-mediated dilation and higher glucose levels were associated with poorer sleep quality (r = -0.51, P = .01; r = 0.52, P = .03). Subjects with shorter sleep duration had greater glycemic variability. CONCLUSIONS: Endothelial dysfunction (a precursor to cardiovascular disease) relates to glycemic control, glycemic variability, and sleep quality in T1DM.