Sleep apnoea and metabolic dysfunction.

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a highly prevalent condition often associated with centralobesity. In the past few years, several studies have analysed the potential independent contribution of OSAto the pathogenesis of metabolic abnormalities, including type 2 diabetes, the metabolic syndrome and nonalcoholicfatty liver disease. New perspectives in OSA patient care have been opened by the promotion oflifestyle interventions, such as diet and exercise programmes that could improve both OSA and themetabolic profile. The rich clinical literature on this subject, together with the growing amount of data onpathophysiological mechanisms provided by animal studies using the chronic intermittent hypoxia model,urged the organising Committee of the Sleep and Breathing meeting to organise a session on sleep apnoeaand metabolic dysfunction, in collaboration with the European Association for the Study of Diabetes. Thisreview summarises the state-of-the-art lectures presented in the session, more specifically the relationshipbetween OSA and diabetes, the role of OSA in the metabolic consequences of obesity, and the effects oflifestyle interventions on nocturnal respiratory disturbances and the metabolic profile in OSA patients