Le poumon : une cible du diabète

The lung is a potential target organ for diabetes because of its alveolar-capillary bed representing a surface area of about 140 m2. Recently, it has been reported that diabetes affects lung function: abnormal pulmonary function is consistent with a moderate restrictive defect and diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide is reduced. Different mechanisms have been proposed to explain these changes in lung function: microangiopathy of the pulmonary capillaries and arterioles, impairment of lung elastic recoil, respiratory autonomic neuropathy and alteration of mucociliary clearance. Lung function impairment in relation to diabetes albeit modest, could add a detrimental effect in patients with chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cystic fibrosis.