Increased Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Poor Sleep Quality among Older Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: The DCCT/EDIC Study

Logistic regression models assessed the odds of each sleep problem by demographic and clinical variables, glycemia, and diabetes complications. </p><p dir="ltr">Results: Participants (N=963, 52% male) were 64±7 years of age (mean±SD) with type 1 diabetes for 43±5 years. Diagnosed OSA and current positive airway pressure (PAP) device use were reported by 29% and 19% of participants, respectively. Increased OSA risk was present in 64%, poor sleep quality in 43%, and daytime sleepiness in 10% of participants.

Each 1% absolute increase (11 mmol/mol) in current or mean HbA1c was associated with 15% to 20% higher odds of any sleep problem. In models adjusted for age, sex, BMI and mean HbA1c, cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy was associated with higher odds of intermediate/high OSA risk, and albuminuria and severe hypoglycemia were associated with higher odds of poor sleep quality. </p><p dir="ltr">Conclusions: OSA risk and poor sleep quality were common among DCCT/EDIC participants.

Sleep assessments for older individuals with longstanding type 1 diabetes and research to identify mechanisms to explain the observed associations are warranted. </p><p><br></p>