• Lars Hecht, Ralph Möhler, and Gabriele Meyer.
• Sana Hospital Oldenburg, Diabetes Center, Oldenburg, Germany. l.hecht@sana-oh.de
• Ger Med Sci. 2011 Jan 1; 9: Doc20.

BackgroundObstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS) is a condition of obstruction, apneas and arousals while sleeping. It has been suggested that OSAS independently influences glucose metabolism. The main treatment for OSAS is continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP).ObjectivesTo assess the effects of CPAP on insulin resistance and glucose metabolism.Search StrategyWe searched Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register (January 2010).Selection CriteriaWe included randomised and non-randomised trials comparing CPAP with inactive control or placebo CPAP in adults with OSAS.Data Collection And AnalysisTwo authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Parallel and crossover group trials were analysed separately. A meta-analysis was carried out.ResultsThree parallel group and two cross-over randomised trials and one controlled trial were included investigating 296 participants. Sample sizes ranged from n=13 to n=102 participants, age was 18 to 75 years, mean body mass index (BMI) 27.2 kg/m² to 37.1 kg/m², mean apnoe hypopnoe index (AHI) 29.7 to 39.7 events per hour, mean dips >4% in arterial oxygen saturation per hour of sleep 1 to 42.7 events. The studies' methodological quality varied. Follow-up ranged from 4 to 12 weeks. Various endpoints were investigated. CPAP did neither influence plasma insulin levels nor HOMA-index, adiponectin levels or HbA1c value. One study reported a significant positive effect on the insulin sensitivity index (1.68%/min, 95% CI 0.3 to 3.06).ConclusionThis systematic review does not support the hypothesis that OSAS independently influences glucose metabolism. Sufficiently powered, long-term randomised controlled trials defining changes of insulin resistance as primary endpoint are needed.

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