Does glucose metabolism and its consequences depend on the phenotype of obstructive sleep apnea?

Purpose of review: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common form of sleep-disordered breathing, with rising prevalence and increasingly recognized for its association with multisystem involvement, particularly abnormalities in glucose metabolism. This review examined the relationship between OSA and glucose metabolism and associated cardiovascular outcomes.

Recent findings: OSA is a significant risk factor for the development of abnormal glucose metabolism and is strongly associated with incident cardiovascular disease, partly mediated by impaired glucose regulation. Emerging evidence highlights a bidirectional relationship between OSA and glucose dysregulation, including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Specific OSA phenotypes such as rapid eye movement (REM)-related OSA and marked nocturnal desaturation have been associated with worsened glycemic control. However, current data show inconsistent improvements in glucose homeostasis following continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, indicating the need for more targeted approaches. Meanwhile, weight loss by lifestyle modification, bariatric surgery or medications have been shown to improve OSA as well as glycemic control in people with diabetes.

Summary: Personalized strategies targeting specific OSA phenotypes may improve metabolic outcomes in patients with coexisting glucose dysregulation. Integrating metabolic biomarkers into clinical practice could enable earlier detection of maladaptive changes and support precision-guided interventions to improve long-term outcomes.