A Study of Pulmonary Function Test in Type II Diabetes Mellitus-Spirometry Based

Diabetes is one of the most common non-communicable diseases worldwide. The prevalence of type II diabetes is increasing in developing countries like India. Due to the presence of an abundant connective tissue and an extensive micro vascular circulation raises the possibility that lung may be a target organ in diabetic patients. The aim of the study was to compare the Lung function in type II Diabetics with healthy subjects and to correlate the lung function parameters with duration of diabetes mellitus. This case control study was conducted in 40 type II diabetics with duration more than 2 years and 40 healthy controls of age group 35–55 yrs. PFT was done by using computerized spirometer. Parameters like FEV₁, FVC, FEV₁/FVC%, MVV, PEFR & FEF _25–75% are recorded. Statistical analysis was done by using student's‘t’ test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. The pulmonary function parameters like FEV1%, FVC% and PEFR were significantly reduced in type II diabetics when compared with healthy controls, whereas FEV₁/FVC% was not reduced significantly. This showed a restrictive pattern of pulmonary impairment in type II diabetics and as the duration of diabetes increases the restrictive lung impairment becomes more prominent. As spirometry is much more reliable, valid and simple test, the diabetics are suggested to undergo pulmonary function testing periodically.