Evaluation of Clinical and Instrumental Results of Lung Examination in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus, Coronary Artery Disease, and Obesity

BACKGROUND: There are a large number of works devoted to the study of the state of the bronchopulmonary system in diabetes mellitus in the literature in the last 20 years. However, these studies are often conflicting. Some researchers identify a deterioration in the function of external respiration and a connection with metabolic changes and complications of the disease, others associate it with vascular pathology. There are a number of reports of increased pulmonary ventilation in diabetes. AIM: To assess the structural and functional state of the lungs in patients with diabetes mellitus and in combination with coronary heart disease and obesity. METHODS: 395 patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus were under observation. The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus was verified in accordance with International Programs and was based on WHO criteria. The glycemic level of patients was determined using a One Touch® basic glucometer (Johnson&Johnson, USA). The degree of carbohydrate metabolism compensation was assessed by the level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), determined using a laboratory analyzer DCA-2000 MT (BAYER, Germany). The concentration of C-peptide in the blood serum was determined by the method of immunoluminometric analysis "Immunotech" (Czech Republic). Caro and HOMA-IR indices were calculated to identify and assess the insulin resistance (IR). The indices of hormone metabolism were determined by ELISA using DSL kits (USA) with subsequent measurement of optical density on a Spectra Classic reader from Tecan (Austria): corticotropic hormone (CTG), adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol, free hydrocortisone; 17-ketosteroids, 17-oxycorticosteroids, glucogone, insulin, somatotropic hormone (STH); thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH); thyroxine (T4); thyroxine (T3). Instrumental-functional and radiation research methods: X-ray methods for lungs examining, computer spirography, fibrobronchoscopy of the bronchi was performed in all patients. Morphological changes were assessed using histological and morphometric methods. RESULTS: Pathogenetic mechanisms of the bronchopulmonary system disorders in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus are associated with a decrease in the function of external respiration due to the volumetric air flow rates of the predominantly central airways and an increase in bronchial resistance. Alveolar hypoventilation of a restrictive type with impaired diffusion of gases through the alveolar-capillary membrane was detected in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Restrictive and obstructive type disorders with impaired ventilation-perfusion ratios and pulmonary blood flow are formed in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus combined with coronary artery disease and obesity. CONCLUSION: A decrease in the function of external respiration due to the central respiratory tract and an increase in bronchial resistance were noted in 38.4% of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Restrictive alveolar hypoventilation was registered in 23.3% of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, catarrhal endobronchitis – in 21.31% of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Damage and fibrosis of the alveolar tissue, damage to the endothelium and disorganization of the connective tissue of the lungs were characteristic of microscopic examination of the ultrastructure of the lungs in patients with diabetes mellitus.