Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome accompanied by diabetes mellitus.

A 66-year-old man with diabetes mellitus was hospitalized with sleeping and dyspnea. Polysomnography determined an apnea hypopneas index (AHI) of 56/hr and that the events occurred in association with continued diaphragm electromyogram activity and thoraco-abdominal wall movement. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome was then diagnosed and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) (11cmH2O) was set. AHI subsequently became 21/hr. Six months' later, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) for the narrowing middle pharynx was performed and the AHI became 7/hr. After starting nCPAP and UPPP, body weight and insulin resistance had decreased. Treatment for sleep apnea may improve insulin resistance in diabetes mellitus.