Pulmonary function changes in diabetic lung

BackgroundDiabetes mellitus is a chronic and debilitating disease. Its complications give rise to micro and macrovascular diseases which affect eyes, kidneys, heart, blood vessels, nerves and also lungs. There may be a relationship between diabetes and reduced lung function, so this study was designed to evaluate the impairment of lung function on spirometry among diabetic patients.ObjectivesTo study the effect of diabetes mellitus on the evolution of respiratory function parameters.Patients and methodsHundred subjects were enrolled in the study, 30 patients with type I, another 30 patients with type II and 40 subjects were controls. Mean age was 42.78 ± 3.14 years, 45 were males and 55 were females. Mean HbA1C was 8.9 ± 1.1%. 22 patients with diabetes duration from 5 to 10 years, 38 patients with a duration of more than 10 years. Spirometric tests were done for all groups by computerized Spirometry with six parameters {Forced vital capacity (FVC), Forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1), Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), Forced expiratory volume in first second to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), Peak expiratory flow rate (FEFR 25–75) and Diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO)}.ResultThere was a predominant reduction in all the Spirometric parameters of diabetic patients toward the restrictive pattern as there was significant deterioration in DLCO in comparison with healthy controls. FVC (p < 0.01), and FEV1/FVC% (p < 0.001) were significantly lower in type1 diabetic patients in comparison to those of type II. Impairment of lung functions was obvious with a longer duration of diabetes.ConclusionDiabetes is associated with a significant impaired pulmonary function in a restrictive pattern as compared to non diabetics. The pulmonary function impairment was found to be more marked with diabetic duration especially after 10 years. Subjects with type I diabetes had lower FVC and FEV1/FVC% than predicted; it could be related to poor glycemic control.