Diabetes mellitus alteres the pulmonary function test parameters among the patients attending regular check-up in tertiary care hospital in and around Chennai - Evidence-based study

Introduction: The application of epidemiology to the study of DM has provided valuable information on several aspects of this disease such as its natural history, prevalence, incidence, morbidity, and mortality in diverse populations around the world. Identification of the cause of the disease and the possible preventive measures that could be instituted to arrest or delay the onset of this disease which has reached epidemic proportions in both the developed and the developing nations. Unfortunately, the improvement in outcomes for individual patients with diabetes has not resulted in similar improvements from the public health perspective. The aim of the study: The purpose of this study was to evaluate pulmonary functions in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to determine their correlations with an anthropometric profile, glycemic control, and duration of diabetes. Materials and methods: The present case-control study was carried out in the Department of Diabetology, Melmaruvathur Adiparasakthi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research during the period of 2015. The study included previously diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus cases and healthy controls as not having diabetes. In this study, there were a larger number of females than males (66.2% vs. 33.8%). The probable cause for this discrepancy was the fact that many males were excluded Test (VPFT) were studied in all participants. FVC, FEV1 and FEV1% were selected for the study on account of their smoking history, alcohol intake, irresponsible behavior, busy working schedule while female diabetics were mostly eligible on account of their being non-smokers and other favoring factors. 60 age and sex-matched healthy subjects served as controls. Forced expiratory spirograms were recorded by RMS medspiror Ventilatory Pulmonary Function. Results: A total of 30 previously diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients (cases) and 30 healthy controls were recruited during the study period. Cases and controls were matched according to their mean age, sex, height, weight, body mass index (BMI). Diabetic patients showed a greater decline in FVC, FEV1, FEF 25-75%, PEFR and increase in FEV1/FVC ratio which is statistically significant, suggesting restrictive lung disorder. Conclusion: The pattern of abnormal pulmonary function observed in our study, low FVC and preserved FEV1/FVC ratio, is suggestive of the restrictive type of lung disease among type 2 diabetics. Diabetic patients showed impaired lung function independent of smoking. Although it was not associated with severity duration of DM affect FVC and FEV1. Lungs are indeed affected in patients with diabetes and pulmonary function testing should be mandatory for diabetics in order to prevent complications thereby improving quality of life.