Restrictive Pulmonary Disease in Diabetes Mellitus Type II Patients

Background The present study aimed to evaluate the proportion of restrictive pulmonary disease in individuals with diabetes mellitus type II patients. Methodology A cross-sectional study was performed at Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences between May 2020 and June 2021. All individuals aged between 40 and 65 years, irrespective of gender were included in the study. While those individuals with known obstructive lung diseases, blood disorders, or malignancy were excluded. Spirometry, total lung capacity (TLC), and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) measurements were conducted to obtain a pattern of restrictive disease in patients. Patients were divided into three main groups; i) prediabetes, ii) newly diagnosed cases of diabetes, iii) longstanding diabetes mellitus type II, and iv) control group. The parameters like the patients' age, sex, medication, history of smoking, and cardiac diseases, among other demographics were recorded. The data collected was recorded on a predesigned proforma. Results The majority of the newly diagnosed cases, as well as long-standing diseases, were elderly males (p=0.014 and p<0.0001). Dyspnea was significantly correlated with longstanding diabetes mellitus type II as indicated by a higher mean score of 0.65 ± 0.10 (p=0.006). Smoking did not significantly correlate with diabetes mellitus type II. In patients with longstanding diabetes, 27 (14.4%) had a modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) score of greater than two while none of the controls had severe breathlessness. Reduced forced vital capacity (FVC) was detected in 16.0% of patients with longstanding diabetes and 12.8% in patients with newly diagnosed disease. Similar results were obtained for total lung capacity (TLC) and diffusing capacity (DLCO) (p=0.003 and p=0.02). Conclusion Diabetes mellitus type II is significantly associated with restrictive lung disease in patients as indicated by a high number of patients with longstanding diabetes in our study who were found to have restrictive lung disease and severe dyspnea. Screening for lung dysfunction could aid in optimum management of this debilitating disease.