Diabetic polyneuropathy is associated with respiratory muscle impairment in type 2 diabetes

Exploring the impact of type II diabetes mellitus on voice quality

PURPOSE

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the potential of voice analysis as a prescreening tool for type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by examining the differences in voice recordings between non-diabetic and T2DM participants.

METHODS

60 participants diagnosed as non-diabetic (n = 30) or T2DM (n = 30) were recruited on the basis of specific inclusion and exclusion criteria in Iran between February 2020 and September 2023. Participants were matched according to their year of birth and then placed into six age categories. Using the WhatsApp application, participants recorded the translated versions of speech elicitation tasks. Seven acoustic features [fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, harmonic-to-noise ratio (HNR), cepstral peak prominence (CPP), voice onset time (VOT), and formant (F1-F2)] were extracted from each recording and analyzed using Praat software. Data was analyzed with Kolmogorov-Smirnov, two-way ANOVA, post hoc Tukey, binary logistic regression, and student t tests.

RESULTS

The comparison between groups showed significant differences in fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, CPP, and HNR (p < 0.05), while there were no significant differences in formant and VOT (p > 0.05). Binary logistic regression showed that shimmer was the most significant predictor of the disease group. There was also a significant difference between diabetes status and age, in the case of CPP.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants with type II diabetes exhibited significant vocal variations compared to non-diabetic controls.

Impact of diabetes mellitus on the respiratory function of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Respiratory insufficiency and its complications are the main cause of death in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) on respiratory function of ALS patients is uncertain.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was carried out. From the 1710 patients with motor neuron disease followed in our unit, ALS and progressive muscular atrophy patients were included. We recorded demographic characteristics, functional ALS rating scale (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised [ALSFRS-R]) and its subscores at first visit, respiratory function tests, arterial blood gases, phrenic nerve amplitude (PhrenAmpl), and mean nocturnal oxygen saturation (SpO2 mean). We excluded patients with other relevant diseases. Two subgroups were analysed: DIAB (patients with DM) and noDIAB (patients without DM). Independent t-test, χ2 , or Fisher exact test was applied. Binomial logistic regression analyses assessed DM effects. Kaplan-Meier analysis assessed survival. p < 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

We included 1639 patients (922 men, mean onset age = 62.5 ± 12.6 years, mean disease duration = 18.1 ± 22.0 months). Mean survival was 43.3 ± 40.7 months. More men had DM (p = 0.021). Disease duration was similar between groups (p = 0.063). Time to noninvasive ventilation (NIV) was shorter in DIAB (p = 0.004); total survival was similar. No differences were seen for ALSFRS-R or its decay rate. At entry, DIAB patients were older (p < 0.001), with lower forced vital capacity (p = 0.001), arterial oxygen pressure (p = 0.01), PhrenAmpl (p < 0.001), and SpO2 mean (p = 0.014).

CONCLUSIONS

ALS patients with DM had increased risk of respiratory impairment and should be closely monitored. Early NIV allowed for similar survival rate between groups.

The interplay between diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are common and chronic disorders. COPD is characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation due to airway and/or alveolar abnormalities and it is considered currently the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. DM is a systemic disease characterized by a chronic hyperglycemia associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. The relationship between the two conditions is not completely understood and conflicting results are reported in the literature. Many studies have investigated the mechanisms through with the respiratory disease is associated with an increased risk of metabolic condition or whether the incidence risk of COPD in individuals affected by DM is higher. The link between the two chronic conditions has relevant implications in the management of patients affected by the both of them. Respiratory patients should be screened for diabetes mellitus as a frequent comorbidity of lung disease since therapeutic options should be assessed about risk-to-benefit ratios associated with the indication for the steroid use. Furthermore, the role of hyperglycemia on pulmonary function (e.g. infection or inflammatory processes) should be evaluated in DM. Finally, in presence of both diseases potential treatment interactions should be considered. In this overview we explored the common aspects of both clinical chronic illnesses and investigated the interplay between the two conditions.

Scoping review of the relationship between diabetes and voice quality

AIMS

The objective of this scoping review is to synthesize all of the known information about the relationship between diabetes mellitus and voice quality and to explore its potential applications for new technology.

METHODS

We conducted a scoping literature review of articles published between March 2000 and September 2021 using the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase. Additionally, we did a manual search of Google Scholar. The search strategy abides by the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Studies pertaining to the relationship between diabetes and the voice were categorized separately for further evaluation.

RESULTS

Out of the 2732 originally identified articles, nine were ultimately included in this scoping review. The chosen articles address both diabetes and its impact on a variety of vocal parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

There is currently very little research investigating the relationship between diabetes, neuropathy, and phonatory symptoms. Additionally, existing publications contain some contradictory findings. Further research that incorporates imaging technology is needed to clarify the physiological explanations for the differences observed between healthy individuals and those with diabetes mellitus. Such information can be used to develop noninvasive technology for diabetes diagnosis and monitoring.

Coexistence of cardiovascular risk factors and obstructive sleep apnoea in polysomnography

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study was to assess the relationship between the coexistence of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) and the incidence and severity of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

METHODS

The study involved 88 people, aged 53.76 ± 12.59 years. A questionnaire, basic anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, standard laboratory tests (total cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose) and polysomnography were performed. Each patient was assessed for the presence of CVRFs: i.e. obesity, arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, type 2 diabetes and smoking. OSA was diagnosed based on the apnoea and hypopnea index (AHI) in polysomnography.

RESULTS

It was documented that the mean AHI values were significantly higher in obese patients than in non-obese patients, in patients with arterial hypertension than in patients without hypertension, in patients with hypercholesterolaemia than in patients without hypercholesterolaemia and in patients declaring smoking than in non-smoking patients. The correlation analysis revealed a significant positive linear relationship between the number of CVRFs and the AHI value in polysomnography (r = 0.40, p < 0.05). Based on the regression analysis, it was documented that obesity, arterial hypertension and smoking are independent predictors of higher AHI values.

CONCLUSIONS

In the study group of patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors, there is a directly proportional relationship between the number of cardiovascular risk factors and the AHI index in polysomnography.

Effect of Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) and Duration of Disease on Lung Functions in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Diabetes mellitus is a highly challenging global health care problem. This study aimed to assess the effect of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and duration of diabetes on lung function in type 2 diabetic patients and assess whether duration or high HbA1c is more noxious to damage the lung functions. A total of 202 participants, 101 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and 101 age-, gender-, height-, and weight-matched controlled subjects were recruited. The HbA1c was measured through a clover analyzer, and lung function test parameters were recorded by spirometry. The results revealed a significant inverse correlation between HbA1c and Vital Capacity (VC) (r = -0.221, p = 0.026), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) (r = -0.261, p = 0.008), Forced Expiratory Volume in First Second (FEV1) (r = -0.272, p = 0.006), Forced Expiratory Flow 25% (FEF-25%) (r = -0.196, p = 0.050), Forced Expiratory Flow 50% (FEF-50%) (r = -0.223, p = 0.025), and Forced Expiratory Flow 75% (FEF-75%) (r = -0.169, p = 0.016). Moreover, FEV1 (p = 0.029), FEV1/FVC% (p = 0.006), FEF-50% (p = 0.001), and FEF-75% (p = 0.003) were significantly lower in the diabetic group with duration of disease 5-10 and >10 years compared to the control group. The overall results concluded that high HbA1c or uncontrolled diabetes mellitus has a more damaging effect on lung function impairment compared to the duration of diabetes mellitus. Physicians must regularly monitor the HbA1c level while treating diabetic patients, as good glycemic control is essential to minimize the complications of DM, including lung function impairment in patients with T2DM.

Effect of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetic Medication on Pulmonary Function

Background:

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic condition with an impairing effect on multiple organs. Numerous respiratory disorders have been observed in patients with T2DM. However, the effect of T2DM on pulmonary function is inconclusive.

Aims:

In this study, we investigated the effect of T2DM on respiratory function and the correlation of glycemic control, diabetes duration and insulin intake.

Methods:

1500 patients were recruited for this study; 560 having T2DM for at least a year were included in the final data, in addition to 540 healthy volunteers. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory flow at 25-75% (FEF 25-75%), as well as FEV1/FVC ratio values were measured.

Results:

A two-sample t-test showed that z-scores produced by Al-Qerem et al.’s equations for FEV1, FVC, and FEF 25-75% were significantly lower for the T2DM group than the control group (p < 0.01). FEV1/FVC ratio in the T2DM group was significantly higher (p < 0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis found that glycemic control represented by HbA1c as well as disease duration were negatively associated with the pulmonary function (p < 0.01). However, insulin intake was found to have no significant correlation with pulmonary function.

Conclusion:

T2DM was linked to reduced pulmonary function and was consistent with a restrictive ventilation pattern. HbA1c, as well as disease duration, were found to be independent risk factors for reduced pulmonary function.

Pulmonary function tests in type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine the association between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and pulmonary function tests.

METHODS

After conducting an exhaustive literature search, we performed a meta-analysis. We employed the inverse variance method with a random-effects model to calculate the effect estimate as the mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). We calculated the heterogeneity with the I2 statistic and performed a meta-regression analysis by sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking and geographical region. We also conducted a sensitivity analysis according to the studies' publication date, size of the T2D group and the study quality, excluding the study with the greatest weight in the effect.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis included 66 studies (one longitudinal, two case-control and 63 cross-sectional), with 11 134 patients with T2D and 48 377 control participants. The pooled MD (95% CI) for the predicted percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory flow at 25-75% of FVC, peak expiratory flow, and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide were -7.15 (95% CI -8.27, -6.03; p<0.001), -9.21 (95% CI -11.15, -7.26; p<0.001), -9.89 (95% CI -14.42, -5.36; p<0.001), -9.79 (95% CI -13.42, -6.15; p<0.001) and -7.13 (95% CI -10.62, -3.64; p<0.001), respectively. There was no difference in the ratio of FEV1/FVC (95% CI -0.27; -1.63, 1.08; p=0.69). In all cases, there was considerable heterogeneity. The meta-regression analysis showed that between studies heterogeneity was not explained by patient sex, BMI, smoking or geographical region. The findings were consistent in the sensitivity analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

T2D is associated with impaired pulmonary function, independently of sex, smoking, BMI and geographical region. Longitudinal studies are needed to investigate outcomes for patients with T2D and impaired pulmonary function.

[Pulmonary insufficiency in acute stroke: risk factors and mechanisms of development]

Various degrees of pulmonary insufficiency (PI) (PaO₂ ≤60 mm Hg, SaO₂ ≤90%) are diagnosed in most of patients with severe acute stroke (AS). Frequency and severity of PI positively correlates with the severity of AS. PI worsens patient's condition, prolongs the hospitalization period, and increases the probability of fatal outcome. Early clinical signs of PI may be undiagnosed due to the severity of stroke and thus not treated. The initiating pathogenic mechanism of PI is stress-related activation of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and systemic immunosuppression. In severe stroke with mass effect, the rapid and significant increase in intracranial pressure may additionally activate the SNS. Risk factors of PI include older age, previous pulmonary disease, prolonged supine position, respiratory muscle dysfunction, apnea, and concomitant somatic diseases. Decompensation of somatic diseases leads to multiple stage reactions with facilitation of functional and morphologic changes in the pulmonary system, hypoxemia and hypoxia, promotes infectious complications and multiple organ failure and worsens neurological outcome. Diagnosis and treatment of PI in AS decreases mortality and improves rehabilitation prognosis.

Diabetes and respiratory system including tuberculosis - challenges

Diabetes mellitus is a common disorder associated with systemic inflammation and oxidative stress affecting various organ systems leading to microvascular (retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy) and macrovascular (myocardial infarction, stroke, peripheral vascular disease) complications. Although the impact of diabetes on lung functions has been previously reported, especially in asthma and COPD, the lung has not been described as a common target organ in diabetes and this has important medical, social and financial consequences in our already overburdened healthcare system. The underlying mechanism and pathophysiology of such an association have rarely been described in the literature. This review aims to discuss the effects of diabetes on lungs, probable mechanisms by which hyperglycemia may affect lung functions and mechanisms by which respiratory diseases can lead to onset, or worsening of pre-existing hyperglycemia with inherited challenges in the management.

Nephrotic range proteinuria; does it predict lung involvement in patients with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that is well known for its long term serious complications. Proteinuria whether micro or macroproteinuria is one of these complications. Many studies has related proteinuria to other complications of diabetes as retinopathy and cardiovascular disease of diabetes, while the lungs of diabetic patients which is the largest organ in the body with a large macro and microvascular bed, has not been related to this complication.

AIM

The aim of the study was to find out whether proteinuria in diabetic patients can predict lung involvement.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A comparative cross sectional study in which we compared the lung function of 100 type 2 diabetic patients with proteinuria with that of 100 type 2 diabetic patients without proteinuria. Proteinuria is measured in a random sample by "urine protein/urine creatinine ratio". FEV1 and FVC were measured by spirometer.

RESULTS

The results showed that patients with proteinuria had a high frequency of abnormal PFT (86%), while patients without proteinuria had a low frequency of abnormal PFT (11%).Also diabetic patients with proteinuria had lower FVC (72.9 ± 6.5 vs. 88.2 ± 8.2), than diabetic patients without proteinuria.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that diabetes mellitus causes a significant impairment in pulmonary function test. This impairment is significantly related with proteinuria.

Identifying associations between diabetes and acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure: an analysis of the LUNG SAFE database

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus is a common co-existing disease in the critically ill. Diabetes mellitus may reduce the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), but data from previous studies are conflicting. The objective of this study was to evaluate associations between pre-existing diabetes mellitus and ARDS in critically ill patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF).

METHODS

An ancillary analysis of a global, multi-centre prospective observational study (LUNG SAFE) was undertaken. LUNG SAFE evaluated all patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) over a 4-week period, that required mechanical ventilation and met AHRF criteria. Patients who had their AHRF fully explained by cardiac failure were excluded. Important clinical characteristics were included in a stepwise selection approach (forward and backward selection combined with a significance level of 0.05) to identify a set of independent variables associated with having ARDS at any time, developing ARDS (defined as ARDS occurring after day 2 from meeting AHRF criteria) and with hospital mortality. Furthermore, propensity score analysis was undertaken to account for the differences in baseline characteristics between patients with and without diabetes mellitus, and the association between diabetes mellitus and outcomes of interest was assessed on matched samples.

RESULTS

Of the 4107 patients with AHRF included in this study, 3022 (73.6%) patients fulfilled ARDS criteria at admission or developed ARDS during their ICU stay. Diabetes mellitus was a pre-existing co-morbidity in 913 patients (22.2% of patients with AHRF). In multivariable analysis, there was no association between diabetes mellitus and having ARDS (OR 0.93 (0.78-1.11); p = 0.39), developing ARDS late (OR 0.79 (0.54-1.15); p = 0.22), or hospital mortality in patients with ARDS (1.15 (0.93-1.42); p = 0.19). In a matched sample of patients, there was no association between diabetes mellitus and outcomes of interest.

CONCLUSIONS

In a large, global observational study of patients with AHRF, no association was found between diabetes mellitus and having ARDS, developing ARDS, or outcomes from ARDS.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT02010073 . Registered on 12 December 2013.

Muscle grip strength is associated to reduced pulmonary capacity in patients with diabetes

AIM

This study investigates the role of muscle strength as a predictive factor for reduced pulmonary function in diabetes.

METHODS

Data from the NHANES 2011-2012 were analyzed. Lung function was assessed with spirometry (FEV1, FVC). Diabetes was assessed with an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), or fasting plasma glucose (FPG). Muscle strength was measured by a grip test using a handgrip dynamometer.

RESULTS

A total of 3521 people were suitable to be included for analysis in this study. Lung function was reduced in diabetes-after adjustment for covariates, the impact of diabetes on FVC was estimated as -331mL (SE 48) for known diabetes and -282mL (SE 41) for undiagnosed diabetes (P<0.001). Grip strength was also reduced in diabetes. After adjustment for covariates, the impact of diabetes was estimated as -5.9kg (SE 0.8) for known diabetes (P<0.001). An association between lung capacity and grip strength in people with known diabetes was observed (R=0.7, P<0.001). The adjusted impact on FVC from grip strength was estimated as 13.1mL (SE 3.4) per kg (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Muscle strength appears to be reduced in people with known diabetes, and this seems to affect the respiratory muscles as an independent factor.

The Influence of Clinically Diagnosed Neuropathy on Respiratory Muscle Strength in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVES

This cross-sectional study investigated the influence of clinically diagnosed neuropathy (cdNP) on respiratory muscle strength in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

110 T2DM patients and 35 nondiabetic healthy controls (≥60 years) were allocated to one of three groups depending on the presence of cdNP: T2DM without cdNP (D-; n = 28), T2DM with cdNP (D+; n = 82), and controls without cdNP (C; n = 35). Clinical neurological diagnostic examination consisted of Vibration Perception Threshold and Diabetic Neuropathy Symptom score. Respiratory muscle strength was registered by maximal Inspiratory and Expiratory Pressures (PI_max and PE_max), and respiratory function by Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF). Isometric Handgrip Strength and Short Physical Performance Battery were used to evaluate peripheral skeletal muscle strength and physical performance. Univariate analysis of covariance was used with age, level of physical activity, and body mass index as covariates.

RESULTS

PI_max, PE_max, and PEF were higher in C compared to D- and D+. Exploring more in detail, PI_max, PE_max, and PEF were significantly lower in D+ compared to C. PE_max and PEF were also significantly lower in D- versus C. Measures of peripheral muscle strength and physical performance showed less associations with cdNP and T2DM.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of cdNP affects respiratory muscle strength in T2DM patients compared to healthy controls. Both cdNP and diabetes in themselves showed a distinctive impact on respiratory muscle strength and function; however, an accumulating effect could not be ascertained in this study. As commonly used measures of peripheral muscle strength and physical performance seemed to be less affected at the given time, the integration of PI_max, PE_max, and PEF measurements in the assessment of respiratory muscle weakness could be of added value in the (early) screening for neuropathy in patients with T2DM.

Pulmonary Function and Sleep Breathing: Two New Targets for Type 2 Diabetes Care

Population-based studies showing the negative impact of type 2 diabetes (T2D) on lung function are overviewed. Among the well-recognized pathophysiological mechanisms, the metabolic pathways related to insulin resistance (IR), low-grade chronic inflammation, leptin resistance, microvascular damage, and autonomic neuropathy are emphasized. Histopathological changes are exposed, and findings reported from experimental models are clearly differentiated from those described in humans. The accelerated decline in pulmonary function that appears in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) with related abnormalities of glucose tolerance and diabetes is considered as an example to further investigate the relationship between T2D and the lung. Furthermore, a possible causal link between antihyperglycemic therapies and pulmonary function is examined. T2D similarly affects breathing during sleep, becoming an independent risk factor for higher rates of sleep apnea, leading to nocturnal hypoxemia and daytime sleepiness. Therefore, the impact of T2D on sleep breathing and its influence on sleep architecture is analyzed. Finally, the effect of improving some pathophysiological mechanisms, primarily IR and inflammation, as well as the optimization of blood glucose control on sleep breathing is evaluated. In summary, the lung should be considered by those providing care for people with diabetes and raise the central issue of whether the normalization of glucose levels can improve pulmonary function and ameliorate sleep-disordered breathing. Therefore, patients with T2D should be considered a vulnerable group for pulmonary dysfunction. However, further research aimed at elucidating how to screen for the lung impairment in the population with diabetes in a cost-effective manner is needed.

The effect of diabetes mellitus on outcomes of patients with nosocomial pneumonia caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: data from a prospective double-blind clinical trial comparing treatment with linezolid versus vancomycin

Background

The presence of diabetes mellitus increases the risk of several severe infections, but data on its effect on treatment outcomes in patients with nosocomial pneumonia (NP) caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are limited.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from a double-blind, randomized, multi-center, international clinical trial of culture-confirmed MRSA NP that compared treatment with linezolid to vancomycin. Specifically, we evaluated the clinical and microbiologic outcomes of patients with and without diabetes in the modified intent to treat population at end-of-treatment (EOT) and end-of-study (EOS, 7–30 days post-EOT).

Results

Among 448 enrolled patients 183 (40.8 %) had diabetes mellitus, 87 (47.5 %) of whom received linezolid and 96 (52.5 %) vancomycin. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were similar for the two treatment groups. Clinical success rates at EOS were 57.6 % with linezolid and 39.3 % with vancomycin, while microbiological success rates were 58.9 % with linezolid and 41.1 % with vancomycin. Among diabetic patients, rates of mortality and study drug-related adverse effects were similar between the treatment groups. Overall day 28 mortality rates were higher among diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic patients (23.5 vs 14.7 %, respectively: RD = 8.8 %, 95 % CI [1.4, 16.3]).

Conclusions

Among diabetic patients with MRSA NP, treatment with linezolid, compared to vancomycin, was associated with higher clinical and microbiologic success rates, and comparable adverse event rates.

Trial registration

NCT00084266.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-016-1779-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Phrenic Nerve Injury After Radiofrequency Denervation of the Cervical Medial Branches

Radiofrequency denervation of the cervical medial branches is a possible treatment for chronic cervical facet pain syndrome when conservative management has failed. According to the literature, complications after radiofrequency denervation of the cervical medial branches are rare. We report a case of possible phrenic nerve injury after ipsilateral radiofrequency denervation of the cervical medial branches following a posterolateral approach.

Inspiratory muscle training in patients with diabetic autonomic neuropathy: a randomized clinical trial

AIMS AND METHODS

We evaluated the effects of an 8-week inspiratory muscle training (IMT, n = 5) or placebo IMT (P-IMT, n = 5) on maximal respiratory pressures, pulmonary function, functional capacity, and cardiac autonomic control in patients with type 2 diabetes and diabetic autonomic neuropathy (DAN).

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The IMT group had a greater increase in maximum inspiratory pressure as compared to P-IMT (p < 0.05). The IMT improved inspiratory muscle strength in patients with DAN.

Effect of acute inspiratory muscle exercise on blood flow of resting and exercising limbs and glucose levels in type 2 diabetes

To evaluate the effects of inspiratory loading on blood flow of resting and exercising limbs in patients with diabetic autonomic neuropathy. Ten diabetic patients without cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (DM), 10 patients with cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (DM-CAN) and 10 healthy controls (C) were randomly assigned to inspiratory muscle load of 60% or 2% of maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax) for approximately 5 min, while resting calf blood flow (CBF) and exercising forearm blood flow (FBF) were measured. Reactive hyperemia was also evaluated. From the 20 diabetic patients initially allocated, 6 wore a continuous glucose monitoring system to evaluate the glucose levels during these two sessions (2%, placebo or 60%, inspiratory muscle metaboreflex). Mean age was 58 ± 8 years, and mean HbA1c, 7.8% (62 mmol/mol) (DM and DM-CAN). A PImax of 60% caused reduction of CBF in DM-CAN and DM (P<0.001), but not in C, whereas calf vascular resistance (CVR) increased in DM-CAN and DM (P<0.001), but not in C. The increase in FBF during forearm exercise was blunted during 60% of PImax in DM-CAN and DM, and augmented in C (P<0.001). Glucose levels decreased by 40 ± 18.8% (P<0.001) at 60%, but not at 2%, of PImax. A negative correlation was observed between reactive hyperemia and changes in CVR (Beta coefficient = -0.44, P = 0.034). Inspiratory muscle loading caused an exacerbation of the inspiratory muscle metaboreflex in patients with diabetes, regardless of the presence of neuropathy, but influenced by endothelial dysfunction. High-intensity exercise that recruits the diaphragm can abruptly reduce glucose levels.

Extreme values of hemoglobin a1c are associated with increased risks of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in patients with type 2 diabetes: a competing risk analysis in national cohort of Taiwan diabetes study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in patients with type 2 diabetes.We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 45,753 patients with type 2 diabetes, who participated in the National Diabetes Case Management Program in Taiwan. HbA1c at baseline and COPD events over the subsequent years were analyzed.After multivariate adjustment, the COPD risk increased among patients with HbA1c levels <6.0%, compared with that in patients with HbA1c levels ranging from 6.0% to 7.0% (hazard ratio: 1.19, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06-1.34). Similarly, high HbA1c levels (≥10%) were independently associated with COPD (1.19, 95% CI: 1.06-1.32). A U-shaped relationship was observed between HbA1c levels and COPD incidence.HbA1c levels lower than 6.0% and higher than 10% are associated with an increased risk of COPD in patients with type 2 diabetes. These findings suggest that meeting the recommended HbA1c targets might reduce the risk of COPD, but care should be taken not to pose risks to this population.

Motor neuropathy

In distal symmetric sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) in diabetes, involvement of the motor system is rarely seen. Using dynamometry, substantial weakness at the ankle and knee has been found in type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients. The muscle weakness is found only in diabetic patients with DSPN, and is closely related to signs and severity of DSPN. In long-term follow-up studies, neuropathic patients have accelerated loss of muscle strength. Studies using MRI have shown that muscle weakness is paralleled by muscular atrophy within the feet and lower legs and in follow-up studies this atrophy is accelerated compared to healthy controls and non-neuropathic patients. In large-scale studies of diabetic subjects, lower muscle quality has been found, which indicates that even with preserved muscle strength diabetes per se causes lower strength per unit striated muscle. Muscle weakness causes slower movements of the feet and legs, unstable gait, and more frequent falls. Furthermore, weakness is also an independent risk factor for the development of foot ulcers. Training may improve strength, postural stability, and walking performance; however, this still needs to be studied including patients with various degrees of DSPN.

Pulmonary function tests in type 2 diabetes mellitus and their association with glycemic control and duration of the disease

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) have been poorly characterized. Some authors have reported normal pulmonary functions and even concluded that spirometry is not at all necessary in diabetic patients. Some studies have shown abnormal respiratory parameters in patients of DM. Moreover, the duration of DM and glycemic control have varied impact on the pulmonary functions.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The study was undertaken to analyze the pulmonary function parameters in diabetic patients and compare them with age and gender matched healthy subjects. We correlated forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) in diabetic patients with duration of the disease and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were recorded in 60 type 2 diabetic male patients and 60 normal healthy male controls aged 40-60 years by using Helios 702 spirometer. The PFTs recorded were - FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FEF25, FEF50, FEF75, FEF25-75, FEF0.2-1.2, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). HbA1c of all the patients was estimated by ion exchange resin method, which is a very standard method of estimation. PFTs of diabetic patients and controls were compared by applying Student's unpaired t test. Associations between FVC and FEV1 and HbA1c and duration of illness in diabetic patients were analyzed by applying Pearson's coefficient.

RESULTS

The PFTs were significantly decreased in diabetic patients compared with the healthy controls except FEV1/FVC. There was no correlation found between FVC and FEV1 and duration of illness as well as HbA1c.

CONCLUSION

DM being a systemic disease, which also affects lungs causing restrictive type of ventilatory changes probably because of glycosylation of connective tissues, reduced pulmonary elastic recoil and inflammatory changes in lungs. We found glycemic levels and duration of disease are probably not the major determinants of lung pathology, which requires further research.

Mortality experience of a low-income population with young-onset diabetes

OBJECTIVE

In young-onset diabetes, insulin therapy status is a rough marker of diabetes type. We describe the mortality experience of a low-income, predominantly minority population with diabetes diagnosed before age 30 years, stratified by insulin therapy.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 1,098 adults aged 40-79 years (median 49) diagnosed with diabetes before age 30 years and 49,914 without diabetes were recruited from community health centers. Individuals with diabetes were categorized by insulin therapy at baseline: group A, insulin therapy only; group B, insulin therapy and an oral hypoglycemic agent; and group C, no insulin therapy. Cox models were used to compute hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CI for cause-specific mortality based on both underlying and contributing causes of death from death certificates.

RESULTS

During follow-up (mean 3.9 years), 15.0, 12.5, and 7.3% of groups A, B, and C, respectively, and 4.6% without diabetes died. Compared with individuals without diabetes, HRs (CI) for all-cause mortality were 4.3 (3.4-5.6), 4.2 (2.8-6.3), and 2.0 (1.4-2.8) in groups A, B, and C, respectively. The leading cause of death was renal failure (end-stage renal disease [ESRD]) in group A, ESRD and coronary artery disease (CAD) in group B, and CAD in group C and individuals without diabetes. HRs for these conditions were at least twice as high as the HRs for all-cause mortality, reaching 17.3 (10.2-29.3), 17.9 (8.3-38.7), and 5.1 (2.3-11.7) in groups A, B, and C, respectively, for ESRD.

CONCLUSIONS

Excess mortality persists among people with young-onset diabetes of long duration, with ESRD and CAD as the leading contributors to mortality.

Respiratory muscle weakness in peripheral neuropathies

Common peripheral neuropathies do not usually cause diaphragmatic weakness and subsequent respiratory compromise. However, respiratory involvement is relatively common in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Experience in GBS has led to a standardized approach to manage respiratory problems in peripheral neuropathies. Diaphragmatic weakness is not common in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and extremely rare in multifocal motor neuropathy. The linkage has been described between certain subtypes of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease such as CMT2C and CMT4B1 and diaphragmatic weakness. A correlation usually has not been found between electrophysiologic findings and clinical respiratory signs or spirometric abnormalities in peripheral neuropathies except in amplitudes of evoked phrenic nerve responses. Careful and frequent assessment of respiratory function by a qualified team of healthcare professionals and physicians is essential. Criteria established for mechanical ventilation in GBS cases may be applied to other peripheral neuropathies with respiratory compromise as necessary.