Sleep Apnea May Increase The Risk Of Kidney Disease In Diabetic Patients

New research shows that people with sleep apnea may be at a higher risk for kidney function decline, particularly in patients who also have diabetes. Findings presented at ASN Kidney Week 2014 November 11-16 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia found that obstructive sleep apnea is oftentimes common in patients with type 2 diabetes.

The recent study involved 56 patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease who had also undergone screening for obstructive sleep apnea.

Findings showed that about 61 percent of patients scored high for obstructive sleep apnea.

"This study shows that a high-risk score for obstructive sleep apnea is common in non-dialysis CKD patients with diabetic nephropathy and is associated with more rapid loss of renal function," the researchers noted, in a news release. "This simple approach identifies patients at higher risk of CKD progression."

Sleep apnea is a common disorder that's classified by breathing that stops or gets very shallow, with pauses that can last from a few seconds to minutes. This may occur 30 times or more an hour. Chronic kidney disease can eventually lead to kidney failure, which happens when the kidneys are unable to properly filter blood.

It's important to get these and other health issues promptly checked by your doctor, particularly if you are suffering from diabetic conditions as well.