[Is the respiratory function altered during diabetes mellitus?]

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Diabetology
• Cardiovascular Research

Context:

• The lungs, rich in capillaries, are vulnerable to microvascular complications from diabetes.
• Diabetic microvascular complications can affect various organs, including the lungs.

Purpose:

• To assess respiratory function in 23 diabetic patients using lung volumes, flows, and carbon monoxide diffusion capacity.
• To identify early signs of pulmonary microvascular damage in diabetic individuals.

Summary:

• Evaluated lung volumes (CPT, CV, CRF, VR) and flows (VEMS, VEMS/CV, EPD) in diabetic patients.
• Measured pulmonary diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO).
• Observed decreased residual volume (VR) and functional residual capacity (CRF) in some patients; DLCO/VA remained stable with positional changes, unlike in healthy individuals.

Impact:

• Diabetic repercussions on respiratory function exist but are often subclinical due to significant ventilatory reserve.
• The stable DLCO/VA across positions may serve as a sensitive, early indicator of pulmonary capillary bed damage in diabetic patients with nephropathy.