Type 2 diabetes is a very unforgiving disease, especially when it's simply allowed to progress. Many studies already suggest that it can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, what doctors want to know if there's a connection between OSA and CKD. Based on their findings, the answer is yes.
The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) organized the recent Kidney Week held last November 11-16, 2014, in Philadelphia, PA. During the conference attended by more than 10,000 doctors and experts in the field, they released results that established the link between CKD and OSA.
Dr. Roberto Pisoni of the University of South Carolina led the study participated by 56 patients who are diagnosed with both a kidney disease but non-dialysis and diabetes. All these patients then answered a questionnaire, which also analysed if they are suffering from OSA.
Based on their interpretation, more than 60% of the participants also had sleep apnea. They also had a more progressive kidney disease than those who didn't or had a lower score with regard to sleep apnea.
According to the doctor, the research may suggest that sleep apnea is very common among those who have a kidney disease and diabetes. Moreover, it may be used to indicate whether a diabetes patient may be vulnerable to developing a kidney disease.
However, the doctor wants to stress that although there may be a link, the research doesn't answer the cause-and-effect relationship between the two.
The study was then presented to the attendees on Friday, November 14. It is also still subject to a peer review.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a type of sleep disorder wherein the person experiences shallowness or even cessation of breath for a few seconds as the air passageway is partially or completely blocked. This condition forces the muscles of the chest and the diaphragm to exert more effort, including getting more air from the lungs. Sometimes it's so severe that the person wakes up trying to gasp for a big amount of air or the feeling of choking. OSA is also being linked to hypertension.
