SERUM VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR CONCENTRATION DECREASES IN CORRELATION WITH GLYCATED HEMOGLOBIN LEVELS IN...

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Sleep Medicine
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder associated with vascular complications.
• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common comorbidity in T2DM patients, potentially exacerbating vascular issues.
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) plays a role in angiogenesis and vascular permeability, and its levels may be altered in T2DM and OSA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare serum VEGF levels in T2DM patients with and without comorbid OSA at baseline and after 6 months.
• To investigate the correlation between VEGF levels, diabetes control (HbA1c), and sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Score) in T2DM patients with OSA.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study design.
• Data collection included medical history, demographics, anthropometrics, Epworth Sleepiness Score, serum VEGF, complete blood count, biochemistry, immunology, urinalysis (including microalbuminuria), fundoscopy, and polysomnography at screening.
• Serum VEGF and anthropometrics were re-evaluated at a 6-month follow-up visit.

Main Results:

• Serum VEGF levels significantly decreased from screening to the 6-month follow-up in both OSA+ and OSA- groups (P=0.0281 and P=0.0278, respectively).
• In the OSA+ group, decreased VEGF levels at 6 months showed a direct correlation with decreased HbA1c (P=0.04696) and decreased Epworth Sleepiness Score (P=0.0153).

Conclusions:

• Serum VEGF levels decrease over time in T2DM patients, irrespective of OSA.
• In T2DM patients with OSA, reduced VEGF levels are associated with improved glycemic control and reduced daytime sleepiness.
• VEGF levels may serve as a potential biomarker reflecting the quality of diabetes compensation.