Association Between Excessive Daytime Sleepiness and Severe Hypoglycemia in People With Type 2 Diabetes
The Edinburgh Type 2 Diabetes Study
- Inkster, Berit MBCHB
- Riha, Renata L. MD
- Van Look, Liesbeth MBCHB
- Williamson, Rachel MD
- McLachlan, Stela PHD
- Frier, Brian M. MD
- Strachan, Mark W.J. MD
- Price, Jackie F. MD
- Reynolds, Rebecca M. PHD
OBJECTIVE
Sleep-disordered breathing and sleepiness cause metabolic, cognitive, and behavioral disturbance. Sleep-disordered breathing is common in type 2 diabetes, a condition that requires adherence to complex dietary, behavioral, and drug treatment regimens. Hypoglycemia is an important side effect of treatment, causing physical and psychological harm and limiting ability to achieve optimal glycemic control. We hypothesized that sleep disorder might increase the risk of hypoglycemia through effects on self-management and glucose regulation.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
People with type 2 diabetes (n = 898) completed questionnaires to assess sleep-disordered breathing, daytime sleepiness, and occurrence of severe hypoglycemia.
RESULTS
Subjects who scored highly on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale were significantly more likely to have suffered from severe hypoglycemia. This was a significant predictor of severe hypoglycemia in regression analysis including the variables age, sex, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, BMI, and treatment type.
CONCLUSIONS
Daytime sleepiness may be a novel risk factor for hypoglycemia.