Abstract

Introduction Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and comorbid diabetes mellitus (DM) are reported to have an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) outcomes; however, data on CV mortality are scant. Aim This study aimed to evaluate if patients with comorbid OSA and DM have an increased risk of CV mortality that is higher than the two diseases in isolation. Methods In this prospective cohort study, we included patients referred for a sleep study with and without DM at baseline. We developed four study groups as follows: group 1 (reference group), OSA (-) DM (-); group 2, OSA (-) DM (+); group 3, OSA (+) DM (-); group 4, OSA (+) DM (+). Intergroup differences were evaluated using the t test and chi(2) test, and multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression. The incidence rates of CV mortality were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier (log-rank) model, and adjusted HRs were calculated using the Cox regression model. Results A total of 1447 patients were included in the analysis-group 1: 441 participants; group 2: 141 participants; group 3: 736 participants; group 4: 151 participants. The mean follow-up was 5 years. The association between OSA + DM showed an independent risk of incident CV mortality (HR 2.37, CI 1.16-4.82, p = 0.02) and an increased prevalence of coronary heart disease (OR 3.44, CI 1.73-5.59, p 0.01). In addition, T90% was also associated with CV mortality. Conclusion The coexistence of OSA + DM was associated with an independent risk of CV mortality. In addition, T90% was also associated with CV mortality.