The Impact of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Respiratory System

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes is one of the major causes of progressive microvascular and macro vascular complications leading to retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy as well pulmonary complications due to changes in collagen, elastin, and micro angiopathy. The current study aimed at assessing some respiratory indices in patients with type 2 diabetes and the possible relationships between these parameters and the level of blood glucose control and duration of diabetes. Materials and Methods: In the current descriptive-analytical study, 20 patients with type 2 diabetes were compared with 20 matched healthy subjects. The information of the respiratory system was collected using a chronograph. Parameters for assessment were respiration rate, heartbeats, and oxygen saturation percentage. Results: The results of the study showed a significant reduction in end-expiratory carbon dioxide pressure and increased respiratory rate in the patients compared to the control group. The results also showed a strong and inverse relationship between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and respiratory indices. The duration of having diabetes had a negative significant relationship with respiratory indices. Conclusion: In general, the results of the study indicated that lung function is impaired in people with type 2 diabetes. According to the results of the current study, a proposal for a program to facilitate or prevent lung function impairment for these patients is suggested.