RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus is a disease affecting a lot of organs. One of the little known diabetes complication is impairment of pulmonary function. The aim of this study was to compare pulmonary function in two groups: diabetic individuals and obese non-diabetic individuals and to investigate predictive factors of alteration of diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO). PATIENTS AND METHOD: We retrospectively included all patients hospitalized in department of endocrinology between 1st July 2013 and 31 December 2013 and who underwent pulmonary function tests. All these medical charts of patients were reviewed and patients were classified in two groups: diabetic and obese non-diabetic individuals. RESULTS: Overall, 89 patients were included, 62 diabetic patients and 27 obese non-diabetic patients. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), medium expiratory flow, expiratory residual volume, total lung capacity (TLC) and DLCO were significantly lower in patients with diabetes mellitus compared to obese non-diabetic patients. A low DLCO was significantly associated with diabetic neuropathy, macrovascular complication (carotid atheroma), impairment of renal function, and insulin treatment. CONCLUSION: Respiratory function is impaired in diabetes mellitus, with a significant decrease in FVC, FEV1, TLC and DLCO.