Glycemic disorders and their impact on lung function. Cross-sectional study

Diabetes mellitus can affect the lungs, in its various structures and functions. Current research is being conducted to establish the clinical impact of hyperglycaemia on lung function. The objective of this study is to determine if the glycaemic state (euglycaemic, prediabetes or diabetes) is associated with a decrease in lung volume, determined by spirometry.

An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out at the Ticomán General Hospital in Mexico City. Glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin concentration were used as the parameters to determine if the subjects had a glycaemic disorder. They were further categorised into euglycaemic, prediabetic and diabetic subjects according to ADA criteria guidelines. The subjects underwent forced spirometry testing, obtaining expiratory volume at the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio, and peak expiratory flow (FEP). The lung volumes between the groups were compared.

A total of 55 subjects were studied; 43 women, and 12 men; 14 euglycaemic, 9 prediabetic, and 32 with diabetes. Diabetic individuals presented a %FEP decrease compared to the prediabetic and euglycaemic subjects. The fasting serum glucose values correlated with decrease of %FEV1, FEV1/FVC and %FEP, while the HbA1c concentration only correlated with the decrease of %FEP.

Subjects with diabetes have a lower %PEF than euglycaemic and prediabetic subjects, while the %FEV1, %FVC and the FEV1/FVC ratio do not vary between the different glycaemic states. Acute glycaemic non-control correlated with a decrease in more spirometric parameters than chronic glycaemic non-control.