Sleep apnea and blood sugar control in adults with type 1 diabetes

Obstructive sleep apnea and glycemic dysregulation in adults with type 1 diabetes

NIH-funded research University of Chicago · NIH-11189745

This project looks at whether treating sleep apnea can improve blood sugar control for adults with type 1 diabetes who use insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Chicago NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, United States)
Project IDNIH-11189745 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would take part in two separate 14-day periods, one with your obstructive sleep apnea left untreated and one with sleep apnea treated using CPAP, with the order randomized and a four-week break in between. Each period includes continuous glucose monitoring while you remain on your insulin pump, and overnight CPAP will be supervised in the lab to ensure proper treatment. Researchers will collect blood measures including counterregulatory hormones and lipids to see how sleep apnea affects glucose regulation. About 40 adults with type 1 diabetes and OSA will complete the crossover protocol so each person serves as their own comparison.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults with type 1 diabetes who have obstructive sleep apnea and who use an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People without obstructive sleep apnea, children or adolescents, and adults who do not use an insulin pump or CGM are unlikely to benefit from participating.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could show that treating sleep apnea helps improve glucose control and lower cardiovascular risk for adults with type 1 diabetes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked OSA to worse glucose control and CPAP results have been mixed, but randomized within-subject crossover intervention trials in adults with type 1 diabetes using CGM and pumps are relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.