CONNECTION BETWEEN SERUM VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR LEVELS AND SEVERITY OF MICROANGIOPATHY IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES AND OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA.

Our aim was to evaluate the serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level in type 2 diabetes patients with comorbid obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and to compare it in connection with diabetic retinopathy and chronic kidney disease severity. In the prospective cohort study following data were collected: medical anamnesis; demographic and anthropometric data; laboratory (serum VEGF, complete blood count, biochemistry, immunology, complete urine test, including microalbuminuria) and instrumental investigation data (fundoscophy, laboratory polysomnography). From 232 analyzed patients 54 (23.27%) were placed in OSA+ group, 178-OSA- group Mean VEGF value in OSA+ group was significantly higher, than in OSA- group. Serum VEGF level in patients with diabetic retinopathy was signifcantly higher with OSA comorbidity. Pearson correlation coefficient between VEGF and diabetic retinopathy stages, VEGF and CKD stages was significant in both groups. Our study suggests, that the blood VEGF play an important role in microangiopathy severity in patients with T2DM, especially with OSA comorbily.