Obstructive sleep apnoea in diabetes - assessment and awareness

Abstract

In 2008, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Taskforce on Epidemiology and Prevention released a consensus statement recommending targeted screening for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes with classic OSA symptoms, and screening for diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia in those with OSA. We conducted a survey to gain a greater understanding of current practice in relation to the IDF recommendations for the assessment of patients in diabetes clinics in the UK. An online survey that was made accessible to diabetes healthcare professionals with the support of the websites of several diabetes organisations was performed. Most (approximately two-thirds) of diabetes healthcare professionals who responded to this survey were not aware of the IDF recommendations either for diabetes screening in OSA patients or for OSA assessment in type 2 diabetes and obesity. Participants indicated that their local diabetes guidelines did not incorporate assessment for OSA in those deemed to be at risk. Furthermore, most participants perceived OSA investigations to be primarily the domain of the respiratory team rather than the diabetes team. The observations from this survey provide a better understanding of the application and impact of the IDF guidance in diabetes clinics.