Risk of developing diabetes is inversely related to lung function: a population-based cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether reduced lung function is a risk factor for developing diabetes.


METHODS
Non-diabetic men (n = 382) from the population-based cohort 'Men Born in 1914' were examined with spirometry at age 55 years. The cohort was re-examined at 68 years. Diabetes and fasting plasma glucose at follow-up were studied in relation to vital capacity (VC) and forced expiratory volume (FEV1.0) at baseline.


RESULTS
Fifteen men developed diabetes during the follow-up. The percentage with diabetes in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and top quartile of vital capacity were 7%, 5%, 2%, and 1%, respectively (P for trend = 0.01). Fasting glucose (log transformed, mmol/l) at follow-up was 1.63 +/- 0.16, 1.62 +/- 0.18, 1.61 +/- 0.11 and 1.60 +/- 0.11, respectively (P for trend = 0.11). The longitudinal associations between VC and diabetes (P = 0.001) and log glucose (P = 0.036) were significant after adjustments for several potential confounders. FEV(1.0) at baseline showed similar associations with diabetes at follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The risk of developing diabetes is inversely associated with pulmonary function among middle-aged men.
Engström
G
G
Department of Community Medicine, University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. Gunnar.Engstrom@smi.mas.lu.se
Janzon
L
L
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015444:Exercise; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology*
D001786:Blood Glucose