A Pilot Study to Determine the Effect of Three Months of Oral Appliance Therapy using a Mandibular Advancement Device on HbA1c in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Purpose Continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) is recommended for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) but cost and compliance are major barriers. A mandibular advancement device (MAD) may be an economical, feasible alternative to CPAP. Various studies have been published to recommend MAD as an alternative to CPAP for OSA, but not regarding its efficacy for patients having OSA as well as T2DM. This study aims to objectively and subjectively evaluate oral appliance therapy using a MAD in patients having OSA as well as T2DM. Materials and Methods Patients who visited the hospital clinic having OSA as well as T2DM were recruited. After giving informed consent, participants were divided into three equally sized groups of three grades of OSA (mild, moderate, severe) on the basis of a polysomnography report and were given intervention of MAD at 50% of maximum mandibular protrusion and 20% of maximum interincisal opening. Objective outcomes were HbA1c level and apnea hypopnea index score (AHI). Subjective outcomes were Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Berlin Questionnaire. All outcomes were assessed before and after 3 months of intervention. Results A statistically significant difference was seen in all outcomes after intervention with MAD (p < 0.01) in all groups except HbA1c level in participants having severe OSA. Conclusion MAD may be recommended in patients having OSA as well as T2DM. This study provides evidence to inform health care workers about possible use of MAD in OSA with T2DM.