Cross-sectional and prospective study of lung function in adults with type 2 diabetes: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that diabetes is independently associated with reduced lung function, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted cross-sectional and prospective analyses of diabetes status and lung function decline using baseline and 3-year follow-up data on 1,100 diabetic and 10,162 nondiabetic middle-aged adults from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) were measured at baseline and at the 3-year follow-up using standard spirometry.

RESULTS: At baseline, adults with diabetes had significantly lower predicted FVC (96 vs. 103%, P

CONCLUSIONS: These data support the notion that the lung is a target organ for diabetic injury. Additional research is required to identify pathophysiologic mechanisms and to determine clinical significance.