RESEARCH - Poor lung function may increase diabetes risk

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Poor lung function may increase diabetes risk

Last Updated: 2004-12-20 11:11:34 -0400 (Reuters Health)

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A new study shows that impaired pulmonary

function is linked with an increased occurrence of diabetes.

The finding, consistent with previous reports, is reported in the

medical journal Diabetes Care.

Drs. Earl S. Ford and M. Mannino from the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention in Atlanta analyzed data on 4,830 men and women

aged 25 to 74 participating in the National Health and Nutrition

Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-Up Study.

The participants were interviewed and examined first between 1971 and

1975, and followed through 1992-1993.

During follow-up, 443 of the subjects became diabetic. Analysis showed

that the chances of developing diabetes increased as various measures of

lung function decreased.

The team notes that additional studies are needed to better understand

the relationship between impaired lung function and diabetes.

" Inflammation associated with pulmonary disorders could conceivably

contribute to the development of diabetes, " they point out. " If so,

abnormal pulmonary function or lung disease could act as a risk factor

for diabetes. "

Possibly, however, the process may be the reverse. In that case, if " the

development of diabetes impairs lung function, the changes could be seen

as risk markers rather than risk factors for diabetes. "

SOURCE: Diabetes Care, December 2004.

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