Trajectory of lung function in diabetic adults: A 16‐year follow‐up study of community‐based prospective cohorts

Abstract

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveTo investigate the difference in lung function according to diabetes status in a community‐based prospective study.MethodsIndividuals aged 40–69 years from two community‐based cohorts were followed prospectively for 16 years. A spirometer was used to evaluate lung function at baseline, and lung function tests were carried out biennially thereafter. Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed for the cross‐sectional and longitudinal analyses based on diabetes status.ResultsAmong the 6483 subjects, 2114 (32.6%) had prediabetes and 671 (10.4%) had diabetes. The prediabetes and diabetes groups had lower baseline % predicted values of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (mean, −1.853; 95% confidence interval [CI] –2.715 to −0.990 for prediabetes and mean, −4.088; 95% CI –5.424 to −2.752 for diabetes) and forced vital capacity (FVC) (mean, −2.087; 95% CI –2.837 to −1.337 for prediabetes and mean, −4.622; 95% CI –5.784 to −3.460 for diabetes) compared to the normoglycemia group after adjusting for relevant covariates. The rate of decline in FEV1% predicted (mean, −0.227; 95% CI –0.366 to −0.089) and FVC % predicted (mean, −0.232; 95% CI –0.347 to −0.117) during follow‐up were faster in the diabetes group than in the normoglycemia group. The diabetes group had a lower proportion of normal ventilation (ptrend = 0.048) and higher proportions of restrictive (ptrend = 0.001) and mixed (ptrend = 0.035) ventilatory disorders at the last follow‐up.ConclusionDiabetes is associated with a lower baseline lung function and a faster rate of deterioration.