IDF Urges Healthcare Providers to Address the Relationship Between Type 2 Diabetes and S...( Treating These Closely-Related Condi...)

Treating These Closely-Related Conditions Requires New Clinical Practices

and Research to Reduce Personal and Public Health Costs

SAN FRANCISCO and BRUSSELS, June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Task Force on Epidemiology and Prevention warned today that recent research demonstrates that type 2 diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are closely related, and that both disorders have significant implications on public health and on individuals. These were the conclusions of a meeting of diabetes and sleep experts who examined the impacts of untreated OSA, the most common form of sleep disordered breathing. The resulting IDF statement was released in a presentation at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 68th Annual Scientific Sessions and in an article published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice[1].

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080602/306819 )

"While type 2 diabetes is recognized as a serious global epidemic, the severe health consequences of untreated sleep apnea, especially in people with diabetes, are not. Health policy makers and the general public must be made aware of the link between type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea so that we can begin to address the significant economic burden and debilitating health consequences to both individuals and the community," said Professor Paul Zimmet, Foundation Director of the International Diabetes Institute in Melbourne, Australia and co-chair of the IDF Task Force on Epidemiology and Prevention. "Today's statement is an urgent call to action to the medical community. It is imperative that we better understand the relationship between diabetes and sleep apnea through research and establish appropriate standards of care for managing diabetes and co-morbidities such as sleep apnea."

Recent studies show that OSA is common in people with diabetes: es
'/>"/>