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Updated: Mar 27, 2026

Author Spotlight: Integrating Alveolar-Capillary Reserve Measurements in Exercise Adaptation and Therapeutic Strategies
Published on: February 2, 2024
Type 1 Diabetes Duration Decreases Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity during Exercise
Michelle J Lee1, J Richard Coast, Steven C Hempleman
1Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Ariz., USA.
Background:
Diabetes damages peripheral tissues; however, its effects on the lung are less known. Lung diffusing capacity (DLCO) is influenced by alveolar-capillary membrane conductance (DM) and pulmonary capillary blood volume (VC), both of which are reduced in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D).
Objective:
We sought to determine if diabetes duration affects DLCO, DM, VC, and cardiac output (Q).
Methods:
24 T1D patients (10.7-52.8 years) and 24 non-diabetic controls were recruited and had DLCO, DM, VC, and Q measured at rest and during exercise (40, 70 and 90% VO2max).
Results:
When stratified into two groups based on age (young, <20.6 years old), there were no significant differences in DLCO, DM, VC, or Q (all of which were normalized to body surface area [BSA]) in the young group or in the old group. When stratified by diabetes duration (short duration, 0.33-8.9 years vs. long duration, 9.6-28 years), the T1D patients in the long duration group had lower DLCO/BSA and DM/BSA compared to the controls (p < 0.05). There were no differences in any of the variables in the short duration group.
Conclusions:
This study has shown that duration of diabetes is associated with decrements in diffusing capacity and its components.
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