Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Despite scarce information on the implications of diabetes for pulmonary function, existing evidence suggests that the respiratory system might also be affected by diabetes. We therefore conducted a cross-sectional study of pulmonary function in our male diabetics using spirometric indices.

Study design: This was a cross-sectional study of pulmonary function in diabetics. Seventy-six male diabetics aged 27–80 years, mean 55.4±12.6 were studied to determine PEFR, FEV1, FVC and FEV₁%FVC which were then compared with predicted values derived from a reference equation.

Results: Overall, all lung function parameters/volumes studied were significantly lower in diabetics compared with predicted values P=0.000. Patient’s age correlated negatively with all spirometric indices but there was no significant relationship between lung function and fasting blood sugar, body mass index, or diabetic microvascular complications.

Conclusion: The implication of abnormal lung function parameters for respiratory disease in diabetics is unclear. Routine tests of pulmonary function are not presently indicated in our diabetic patients.