Research has shown that Diabetes affects the lung function of patients suffering from airway diseases like Asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). The research published in the recent issue of Applied Cariopulmonary Pathophysiology, an international peer-reviewed journal has shown how the pulmonary functions of these patients are affected.
Research has shown that Diabetes affects the lung function of patients suffering from airway diseases like Asthma and COPD (Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). The research published in the recent issue of Applied Cariopulmonary Pathophysiology . an international peer-reviewed journal has shown how the pulmonary functions of these patients are affected. Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra, Assistant Professor in Pulmonary Medicine from Government Medical College Nagpur is the lead author of the study.
It may be mentioned here that in August 2010 , an article titled “Pulmonary function in diabetes: a metaanalysis.” was published in international journal CHEST. The authors then had concluded that “..it would next be interesting to investigate the potential clinical implications in those patients with diabetes who carry a pulmonary diagnosis, such as COPD or asthma.”
Recently for the first time such a study has been published by researchers from India in medical literature. For the first time a single study has incorporated the advanced pulmonary function testing (Spirometry, DLCO, Plethysmography lung measurements) of diabetics with COPD or Asthma. The findings have shown that Diabetes interferes in the lung functions of asthmatics or COPD patients. Hence only a few of these patients show expected pure obstructive pattern on lung function testing. It is the combined obstruction-restriction pattern more common in these patients. In the asthmatic subgroup, in fact the decline in lung function correlated with the duration of diabetes. Since PFT (pulmonary function test) is the investigation based on which the diagnosis of COPD or Asthma is confirmed as per the existing guidelines, the treating physician should be aware of these variable PFT results in COPD or Asthmatic patients if they are suffering from diabetes or else the patient may be subjected to further evaluation and investigations if this factor is not accounted for.
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The abstract of this article is given as below.
Introduction:
Reference: G. P. Mishra, T.M. Dhamgaye , B.O. Tayade , B. Fuladi Amol ,S. Agrawal Amit, D. Mulani Jasmin. Study of Pulmonary Function Tests in Diabetics withCOPD or Asthma. Applied Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology 16: 299-308, 2012
About the Author: Dr. Gyan Mishra, Assitant Professor in Pulmonary Medicine from India.