European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a systemic disorder associated with inflammation and oxidative stress which target many organs such as the kidney, retina, and the vascular system. The pathophysiology, mechanisms, and consequences of diabetes on these organs have been studied widely. However, no work has been done on the concept of the lung as a target organ for diabetes and its implications for lung diseases. Aim: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of diabetes on lung diseases Results: One hundred cases of established diabetes mellitus with respiratory complications were analyzed. Respiratory complications included pulmonary tuberculosis in 52, chronic bronchitis in 27, 8 of bronchiectasis, 7 of lung abscess, 4 of pneumothorax and 2 cases of upper respiratory tract infection respectively.  Forty percent of cases pulmonary tuberculosis had moderately advanced lesion and in the forty percent advanced lesions were found radiologically.  Thirty percent of cases of chronic bronchitis were non-smokers, staphylococcal lung abscess was found in maximum number of cases (28 percent). Bronchiectasis was found commonly in lower lobes. Clinical and radiological profile of respiratory diseases and correlation with the severity of diabetes mellitus have been presented. Conclusions: Our results suggest that diabetes can affect the severity and clinical course of several lung diseases.