The benefits of hypoglycemic therapy for patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is often associated with glycemic abnormalities. This study is conducted to investigate the effects of hypoglycemic therapy on OSA-related indicators.

We systematically searched Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for articles on OSA patients receiving any hypoglycemic drugs, published until December 25, 2022. Seven original studies were finally included. The proposal was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022351206).

In summary, in addition to reduced glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), we found that hypoglycemic treatment can lower the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) by 7.07/h (p = 0.0001). Although long-term treatment (> 12 weeks) achieved a more significant reduction in HbA1c (− 1.57% vs. − 0.30%) compared to short-term treatment (≤ 12 weeks), there was no significant difference between the two in terms of AHI (intergroup p-value = 0.27). We also found that patients using sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) experienced a greater reduction in AHI (− 11.00/h, p < 0.00001). Additionally, hypoglycemic treatment also showed certain improvements in related indicators like Epworth Sleepiness Scale, body mass index, and blood pressure.

Our results affirm the benefits of hypoglycemic treatment for OSA patients and highlight the notable effect of SGLT2i. Further researches are needed to help doctors gain a comprehensive understanding of the interaction between OSA and glycemic abnormalities.