PREVALENCE OF SLEEP DISTURBANCES IN DIABETES-MELLITUS

We studied the prevalence of sleep disturbances in 184 persons with di abetes, and 99 controls matched for age and sex. Sleep disorders were more common in diabetics (33.7% vs. 8.2% in controls; P < 0.01). Patie nts with sleep disturbances were younger than those with normal sleep, and had onset of diabetes at a younger age. There was a significant a ssociation of sleep disturbances with the presence of cough, dyspnea, nocturnal cramps, paresthesia and burning of soles. Sleep disturbances may be due to physical discomfort, psychosocial factors, fluctuations in metabolic control and perhaps also hypoinsulinemia. Quality of lif e is affected and coping with the disease is made difficult by sleep d isorders. Thus, physicians caring for persons with diabetes must be ab le to recognize, diagnose and manage sleep disturbances in their patie nts, when they occur.