This study aims to explore the relationship between the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and blood glucose management in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The goal is to provide insights for the comprehensive management of T2DM.

A total of 112 patients with T2DM were selected from Yan'an University Affiliated Hospital between February 2020 and February 2023. OSA was evaluated using polysomnography (PSG) and classified into two groups based on the AASM 2012 standard: a simple T2DM group (33 patients) and a T2DM+OSA group (79 patients). General information and biochemical indicators were collected, and continuous glucose monitoring (CGMS) was used to obtain mean blood glucose (MG), time in range (TIR), time above target range (TAR), time below target range (TBR), and the glucose management indicator (GMI).

The fasting blood glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), MG, TAR, TBR, and GMI values were significantly higher in the T2DM+OSA group compared to the simple T2DM group, while TIR was lower (all P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis indicated that the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was positively correlated with GMI (r=0.56) and TAR (r=0.49), and negatively correlated with TIR (r=-0.50) (all P<0.01). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that an increase in AHI was independently correlated with a decrease in TIR (β=-0.37, P<0.01), an increase in MG (β=4.07, P<0.01), and an increase in GMI (β=7.29, P<0.01).

CGMS indicators, such as MG, TIR, and GMI, are closely related to the severity of OSA in patients with T2DM and can serve as valuable evaluation tools for this condition. This study provides a foundation for optimizing the comprehensive management of T2DM. Further exploration of the mechanisms linking OSA with diabetes and the clinical value of CGMS is warranted.