Type 2 Diabetes and the Lung - Cause and Consequence
Dinah Foer1,2,3, Tianshi David Wu4, Juan C Celedón5
1Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. dfoer@bwh.harvard.edu.
Current Diabetes Reports
|May 7, 2026
Summary
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is linked to lung diseases like asthma and COPD. Managing both conditions together is crucial for better patient outcomes and reducing health risks.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a frequent comorbidity in patients diagnosed with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- A bidirectional relationship between T2D and lung health is supported by basic, translational, and clinical research.
- Insulin resistance and hyperglycemia are linked to pulmonary inflammation, increased risk of respiratory exacerbations, and greater disease severity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize existing literature on the association between T2D and obstructive airway diseases.
- To identify clinical care implications for patients with both conditions.
Main Methods:
- Literature synthesis of basic, translational, and clinical studies.
- Review of animal models and human studies investigating T2D and lung disease.
- Examination of the role of corticosteroids and glucose-lowering medications.
Main Results:
- T2D exacerbates pulmonary inflammation and increases respiratory exacerbation risk.
- Corticosteroids, used for respiratory conditions, can worsen metabolic dysregulation.
- Ongoing trials are evaluating glucose-lowering medications for asthma.
- Patients with comorbid T2D and obstructive airway diseases face higher risks of adverse outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Co-management of T2D and obstructive airway diseases is essential.
- Improved cross-disciplinary care can reduce risks and multimorbidity.
- Further research is needed to establish optimal clinical pathways for integrated care.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Type II Diabetes I: Introduction
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance, in which target tissues such as the liver, muscle, and adipose tissue respond poorly to insulin. It is also associated with inadequate compensatory insulin secretion, where pancreatic β-cells fail to produce sufficient insulin. Together, these abnormalities lead to persistent hyperglycemia.EtiologyT2DM develops through a complex interaction of genetic predisposition and environmental or...
01:24Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
PathophysiologyType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM ) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and progressive pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, leading to impaired glucose homeostasis. It results from interactions among genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and metabolic stressors, such as overnutrition and a sedentary lifestyle.Insulin Resistance and Glucose DysregulationEarly T2DM involves insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and the liver.
01:26Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Type 1 diabetes mellitus arises from an immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β-cells, resulting in an absolute deficiency of insulin. This process develops in genetically susceptible individuals when autoimmunity, environmental exposures, and immunologic dysregulation converge to trigger a targeted attack on the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. The β-cells are located within the islets of Langerhans and are essential for regulating blood glucose by facilitating cellular uptake of...
01:22Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
01:20Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
01:36Carbohydrate Metabolism
Carbohydrates are polymers composed of molecules containing atoms of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. One gram of carbohydrate can provide four kilo-calories of energy, which makes it the most efficient instant energy source.
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in the...
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in the...