Abstract
Background: In type 1 diabetes lung function has been investigated in several clinical studies and evidenced reduction in lung volumes and capacities. However, there are few studies and few data concerning pulmonary function abnormalities. The pulmonary complication of diabetes mellitus is poorly characterized. Hence, the study is to evaluate pulmonary functions in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and compare with control (non-diabetic) subjects.

Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyze pulmonary function parameters in type 2 diabetic patients and compare them with healthy persons and to correlate the lung volumes and capacities in diabetic patients with the duration of the disease.

Materials and Methods: A total of 20 type 2 diabetic patients aged 40–65 years with a diabetic duration of 1–20 years were taken from medicine department 20 nondiabetic patients’ age and gender-matched subjects were taken from patients attendants. Fasting blood sugar, postprandial blood sugar levels, anthropometric data, and spirometry measurements were taken from both study and control groups. Spirometry (forced vital capacity [FVC], volume forcibly exhaled in one second [FEV1], FEV1/FVC, and peak expiratory flow rate [PEFR]) was compared between study and control groups. Results are statistically analyzed using student t test. To correlate the duration of diabetes with reduced lung function tests, Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) was used.

Results: There was a decrease in FVC (27.3%), FEV1 (21.5%), and PEFR (20.8%) but an increase FEV1/FVC (10.3%) in diabetic patients when compared to controls. A negative correlation is found when FEV1/FVC is correlated with duration of diabetes, and no significant correlation was seen between PEFR and duration of diabetes.

Conclusions: Pulmonary function parameters (FVC, FEV1, and PEFR) are reduced in diabetics, and a negative correlation of reduced lung functions (FVC and FEV1) was observed with duration of diabetes.

Key words: Forced Vital Capacity; Volume Forcibly Exhaled in one Second; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; Type 2 Diabetes