In May 2019 researchers from Greece and the UK published the results of their study to assess the association between vitamin D levels and insulin resistance in individuals with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. It is known that obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome is associated with an increase in cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, such as insulin resistance, and it has also been associated with decreased levels of vitamin D. A total of 92 individuals (81 males) who had been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome following polysomnography and pulmonary function testing were included in the study. The individuals were divided into two groups, namely those who had insulin resistance and those who did not, and it was noted that those with insulin resistance had a slighter higher BMI than those who did not. Results showed that low levels of vitamin D were significantly more frequent amongst those individuals with insulin resistance. The researchers therefore concluded that both low vitamin D levels as well as a high BMI may increase the risk of insulin resistance in individuals with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.
Archontogeorgis K et al. Reduced Serum Vitamin D Levels Are Associated with Insulin Resistance in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. Medicina (Kaunas). 2019 May 20;55(5);pii: E174