Lung diffusion capacity disorder in Indonesian patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and the related factors

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and causing both macro- and micro-vascular complications. Lung as a microvascular-contained organ may be affected by the T2DM microvascular complication that results in lung diffusion capacity disorder. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved adult T2DM patients, without overt lung disorder, terminal kidney failure, or cardiovascular disorder, and who were on an outpatient basis. Patients who were recruited through consecutive sampling underwent interview session, physical examination, laboratory test, spirometry, and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) test. Results: Decreasing DLCO value has a significant relation to the high level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (P < 0.05). Patients with HbA1c >6.5 have 21 times risk to have decreasing DLCO value compared to patients with HbA1c <6.5 (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Uncontrolled glycemic status significantly contributed in the decreasing lung diffusion capacity among patients with T2DM. This study implies the importance of controlling blood glucose as a measure to preserve the lung diffusion capacity.