Obstructive sleep apnoea and retinopathy in patients with Type 2 diabetes: A longitudinal study

QA Altaf, P Dodson, A Ali, NT Raymond, H Wharton, H Fellows, R Hampshire-Bancroft, M Shah, E Shepherd, J Miah, AH Barnett, AA Tahrani

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Rationale: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with several pathophysiological deficits found in diabetic retinopathy (DR). Hence, it’s plausible that OSA could play a role in the pathogenesis of sight-threatening DR (STDR).

Objectives: To assess the relationship between OSA and DR in patients with type 2 diabetes and to assess whether OSA is associated with its progression.

Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted in diabetes clinics within two U.K. hospitals. Patients known to have any respiratory disorder (including OSA) were excluded. DR was assessed using two-field 45-degree retinal images for each eye. OSA was assessed using a home-based multichannel cardiorespiratory device.

Measurements and Main Results: A total of 230 patients were included. STDR and OSA prevalence rates were 36.1% and 63.9%, respectively. STDR prevalence was higher in patients with OSA than in those without OSA (42.9% vs. 24.1%; P = 0.004). After adjustment for confounders, OSA remained independently associated with STDR (odds ratio, 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–4.9; P = 0.04). After a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 43.0 (37.0–51.0) months, patients with OSA were more likely than patients without OSA to develop preproliferative/proliferative DR (18.4% vs. 6.1%; P = 0.02). After adjustment for confounders, OSA remained an independent predictor of progression to preproliferative/proliferative DR (odds ratio, 5.2; 95% CI confidence interval, 1.2–23.0; P = 0.03). Patients who received continuous positive airway pressure treatment were significantly less likely to develop preproliferative/proliferative DR.

Conclusions: OSA is associated with STDR in patients with type 2 diabetes. OSA is an independent predictor for the progression to preproliferative/proliferative DR. Continuous positive airway pressure treatment was associated with reduction in preproliferative/proliferative DR. Interventional studies are needed to assess the impact of OSA treatment on STDR.
Original languageEnglish
JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
Volume196
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Jun 2017

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