The relationship among obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and obesity is very complex and multi-directional. Obesity and increased visceral fat are important perpetuating factors for DM2 in patients with OSAS. On the other hand, OSAS itself leads to obesity by causing both leptin and insulin resistance as a consequence of activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Risk for developing DM2 further increases in patients with OSAS and obesity. Data regarding effects of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, gold standard treatment for OSAS, on glycemic control were inconsistent due to variability in duration of and adherence to PAP therapy. In our cohort study we investigated effects of PAP treatment on glucose metabolism in normal-weighted non-diabetic OSAS patients, in obese non-diabetic OSAS patients, and in OSAS patients with DM2. We prospectively analyzed 67 patients diagnosed with OSAS and documented to be effectively treated with PAP therapy for three months. Apnea-hypopnea index was highest in the diabetic group, being significantly higher than in the normal-weighted group (p=0.021). Mean HOMA values were significantly higher in obese (p=0.002) and diabetic group (p=0.001) than normal-weighted group; the differences were still significant after PAP therapy. HbA1c levels were significantly higher in diabetic group compared to those in normal-weighted (p=0.012) and obese (p=0.001) groups. After PAP treatment, decrease in HbA1c levels were significant in normal-weighted (p=0.008), obese (p=0.034), and diabetic (p=0.011) groups. There was no correlation with the change in HbA1c levels and age (p=0.212), BMI (p=0.322), AHI (p=0.098) or oxygen levels (p=0.122). Our study showed that treatment of OSAS by PAP therapy offers beneficial effect on glucose metabolism, not only in diabetic patients, but also in obese and normal-weighted OSAS patients. Although data regarding overall effects of PAP therapy on glycemic control present contradictory results in the literature, it should be emphasized that duration and adherence to PAP therapy were main determinants for beneficial outcome of treatment.

[Diabetes and depression are frequent comorbidities. They are a heavy burden by themselves, however, as comorbidities increase additionally the number of diabetes-related complications, morbidity, and mortality. In the background of interrelations, there are both well-known and hypothetical mechanisms. The aim of the present review is to outline these interrelations between antidepressants and diabetes and to discuss the effect of medications on carbohydrate metabolism respectively. Anti­depressant treatment on the one hand may improve mood, cognitive function and medication adherence leading to an improved glucose metabolism, on the other hand through their metabolic side effects, they may worsen carbohydrate metabolism. Concerning metabolic side effects, selec­tive serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the sa­fest, while tricyclic antidepressants and mo­noamine oxidase inhibitors should be administered under close monitoring. Se­rotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors may deteriorate gly­cae­mic control via increased noradre­nergic activation. Novel antidepressants, how­ever, have a neutral or positive impact on gly­caemic measures. Screening for and temporally adjusted treatment of depres­sion may decrease the risk of comorbidities ge­nerated complications. While caring for diabetic patients with depression, one should consider metabolic side effects of antidepressants and close monitoring of carbohydrate metabolism.]

[This paper describes a decision support system aimed to assist the day-to-day management of insulin treated diabetic patients based on blood glucose measurements. The therapeutic advices are generated by a multistep procedure involving qualitative reasoning to determine the direction of adjustments and numerical simulation of insulin effect on glycaemia to quantify the extent of control actions to achieve glucose control corresponding to the pre selected targets. The qualitative reasoning module uses meal time oriented glucose balances and distances from the glucose target values to guide the search for appropriate control actions. The simulation module contains a physiologically based glucose-insulin model which generates a 24 hour prediction of the patient's blood glucose profile based on these adjustments which allows the doctor to select the optimal control action from alternatives. The results of a preliminary study to compare the advices given by the system to that of an independent diabetologist are also presented for 11 patients.]

[INTRODUCTION - Sulfonylureas have become sidelined as second-line preparations as their use has been associated with an increased occurrence of weight gain and hypoglykaemia. In the case reported, however, therapeutic goals have been achieved with the use of gliclazid. CASE REPORT - A 45-year-old man with type 2 diabetes mellitus was using a metformin XR preparation. His HbA1c level was high and his main complaint was distention. His abdominal complaint was also obstructing his diet. Because of the high HbA1c level and overweight I initiated incretin-mimetic treatment. Due to the worsening of abdominal complaints I replaced the treatment with gliclazid, after thoroughly informing the patient. With gliclazid treatment the patient's abdominal complaints subdued, he was able to maintain his diet, lost 14 kg in three months and the parameters of his carbohydrate metabolism normalised. CONCLUSION - In case of abdominal complaints, a repeated anamnesis of the diet can reveal metformin intolerance. In such cases, the use of gliclazid can lead to therapeutic success with no gastrointestinal adverse effects.]