Effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus on pulmonary function

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Endocrinology
• Microvascular Disease

Background:

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a systemic metabolic disorder with known complications affecting various organs.
• The lung's extensive alveolar-capillary network, a large microvascular unit, is susceptible to microangiopathy associated with T2DM.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) on pulmonary function.
• To identify specific pulmonary function parameters affected by T2DM and associated metabolic factors.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study comparing 292 T2DM patients with 292 non-T2DM controls.
• Measurement of pulmonary function parameters: Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV₁), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV), Total Lung Capacity (TLC), and FEV₁/FVC ratio.

Main Results:

• Patients with T2DM exhibited significantly lower FEV₁, FVC, FEV₁/FVC ratio, MVV, and TLC compared to non-T2DM individuals (P<0.010).
• Fasting plasma glucose levels were negatively associated with FEV₁, FVC, FEV₁/FVC ratio, and MVV in the entire cohort (P<0.030).
• In T2DM patients, higher fasting glucose, triglycerides, and creatinine correlated with reduced pulmonary function parameters.

Conclusions:

• T2DM is associated with impaired pulmonary function, presenting an obstructive ventilation pattern.
• Fasting plasma glucose is identified as an independent risk factor contributing to reduced pulmonary function in individuals with T2DM.