Sleep-Disordered Breathing, Glucose Intolerance, and Insulin Resistance: The Sleep Heart Health Study

Clinic-based studies suggest that sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is associated with glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. However, in the available studies, researchers have not rigorously controlled for confounding variables to assess the independent relation between SDB and impaired glucose metabolism. The objective of this study was to determine whether SDB was associated with glucose intolerance and insulin resistance among community-dwelling subjects (n=2,656) participating in the Sleep Heart Health Study (1994-1999). SDB was characterized with the respiratory disturbance index and measurements of oxygen saturation during sleep. Fasting and 2-hour glucose levels measured during an oral glucose…

• UD
  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• NH
  National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute