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.

[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.]

[Obesity represents a major public health problem in both developed and developing countries having rapidly increased in prevalence in the past two decades. Childhood obesity is of particular concern. Two of its associated diseases require special attention; metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes one of its components that are increasingly diagnosed in childhood. A key to prevention and treatment is healthy lifestyle. The importance of education to healthy lifestyle from early childhood cannot be overemphasized.]

[During treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes, early insulin treatment improves beta cell function, slows the progression of the disease and improves glycaemic values in the long term. In these cases, the strictest glycaemic target values can be achieved by basal-bolus insulin treatment. Furthermore, the development of chronic complications can be halted most effectively by normoglycaemia. It is a special task to switch from human basal-bolus insulin treatment to analog insulins. The author presents practical, clinical aspects of this switching through a case study.]