Association Found Between Diabetes and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

Investigators have found a link between diabetes and excessive daytime sleepiness. Multiple factors were associated with excessive daytime sleepiness for patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), including age, frequent snoring, hypertension, obesity, and poor glycemic control.¹

Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, Excessive Daytime Sleepiness | Image Credit: © LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS | stock.adobe.com

Hypersomnia, also known as excessive daytime sleepiness, can affect an individual’s ability to function at work and socially as well as quality of life. It affects approximately 5% of the population according to the Cleveland Clinic, and it is diagnosed during adolescence or young adulthood. It can cause recurrent episodes of extreme sleepiness and sleeping longer than 10 or more hours while still being tired during the day or having difficulty staying awake. Though the exact causes are unknown, investigators have looked into the roles of neurotransmitters in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid as a possible link.²

Causes commonly associated with excessive daytime sleepiness can include sleep deprivation, obstructive sleep apnea, sedating medication, and diabetes. Although commonly associated with excessive daytime sleepiness, the prevalence T2D has not been studied within Ethiopia nor have the associated factors of T2D, according to the study authors. In the study, investigators included patients with T2D who had regular follow-ups, and data collection was from January 15 to March 15, 2022. Patients were 18 years and older with 2 prior follow-up visits.¹

Investigators used the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to assess daytime sleepiness, with individuals reporting ratings on tendency to fall asleep during 8 hypothetical activities, including watching TV, reading, staying inactive in public places, being a passenger in a car, resting in the afternoon, engaging in conversation, remaining quiet after lunch, stopping for a few minutes when in traffic in the car. Blood pressure was also monitored as well as height and weight, and fasting blood sugar.¹

There were 229 individuals recruited with a 100% response rate and 56.8% were male. The mean age was 57.1 years, 51.1% had primary education, and 89.1% were urban residents. Investigators found that the prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness for patients with T2D was 27.1%, with a high chance to doze when resting in the afternoon at 25.3%. Moderate chances of dozing off including sitting and reading at 13.5%, watching TV at 18.3%, sitting inactive in a public place at 19.7%, sitting quietly after lunch at 21.4%. The factors that were most associated included “age (AOR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.03, 1.12; p < 0.001), frequent snoring (AOR = 2.9; 95% CI = 1.24, 6.80; p = 0.014), hypertension (AOR = 2.64; 95% CI = 1.17, 5.96; p = 0.019), obesity (AOR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.03, 7.13; p = 0.043) and poor glycemic control (AOR = 6.68; 95% CI = 1.83, 24.41; p = 0.004),” according to the results of the study.¹

Importantly, the study authors found similar results in research in Canada, with 30.6% of participants having excessive daytime sleepiness, but high than Saudi Arabia where only 6.7% of individuals had excessive daytime sleepiness. It was also lower than Sudan (40.2%), India (49.4%), and Brazil (55.5%). However, the populations varied with those in India having T2D as well as obesity. They found age was significantly associated with every increase of 1 year resulting in an increased occurrence of excessive daytime sleepiness by 8%. Investigators conclude that health care providers should also evaluate patients with T2D for sleep disturbances.¹

REFERENCES

1. Wondie A, Taderegew MM, Girma B, et al. Excessive daytime sleepiness and its predictors among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients at central ethiopia. Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):31693. Published 2024 Dec 30. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-81073-y

2. Cleveland Clinic. Hypersomnia. October 27, 2021. Accessed January 3, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21591-hypersomnia