Is There any Correlation Between Pulmonary and Coronary Involvement in Diabetic Patients?

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is a major global health issue, affecting over 8.5% of adults worldwide and significantly increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, the association between diabetes-related macrovascular complications, such as coronary artery disease (CAD), and pulmonary function remains unclear. Objectives: The present study was designed to investigate the association between obstructive and restrictive lung patterns and the severity of coronary artery involvement. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Qom, Iran, between April 2019 and August 2021. A total of 211 diabetic patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) were selected. They were divided into two groups: Sixty-nine patients in group 1 (non-significant CAD) and 142 patients in group 2 (significant CAD). Spirometry was performed to assess forced expiratory volume (FEV), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV/FVC ratio, with values adjusted for age and sex in the two groups. Results: Among the 211 participants, 142 (67.3%) exhibited significant coronary artery involvement. Comparative analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in spirometric parameters [forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio] between the groups. Notably, advancing age demonstrated a significant negative correlation with both FEF50% (β = -0.32, P < 0.01) and FVC values (β = -0.28, P < 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis identified inverse relationships between age and peak expiratory flow (PEF; β = -0.41, P < 0.001), HbA1C levels and PEF (β = -0.23, P < 0.05). Additionally, sex emerged as a significant modifier of %FEV1/FVC (β = 0.19, P < 0.05), with female participants showing lower ratios. Conclusions: This study failed to find an association between spirometry findings and coronary artery involvement. However, a significant relationship between small airway involvement and glycemic control was observed.