Background:Pulmonary complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) have been poorly characterized. Some authors have reported normal pulmonary functions and even concluded that spirometry is not at all necessary in diabetic patients. Some studies have shown abnormal respiratory parameters in patients of DM. Moreover, the duration of DM and glycemic control have varied impact on the pulmonary functions.Aims and Objectives:The study was undertaken to analyze the pulmonary function parameters in diabetic patients and compare them with age and gender matched healthy subjects. We correlated forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) in diabetic patients with duration of the disease and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c).Materials and Methods:Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were recorded in 60 type 2 diabetic male patients and 60 normal healthy male controls aged 40-60 years by using Helios 702 spirometer. The PFTs recorded were - FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FEF25, FEF50, FEF75, FEF25–75, FEF0.2–1.2, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). HbA1c of all the patients was estimated by ion exchange resin method, which is a very standard method of estimation. PFTs of diabetic patients and controls were compared by applying Student′s unpaired t test. Associations between FVC and FEV1 and HbA1c and duration of illness in diabetic patients were analyzed by applying Pearson′s coefficient.Results:The PFTs were significantly decreased in diabetic patients compared with the healthy controls except FEV1/FVC. There was no correlation found between FVC and FEV1 and duration of illness as well as HbA1c.Conclusion:DM being a systemic disease, which also affects lungs causing restrictive type of ventilatory changes probably because of glycosylation of connective tissues, reduced pulmonary elastic recoil and inflammatory changes in lungs. We found glycemic levels and duration of disease are probably not the major determinants of lung pathology, which requires further research.

The risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) increases in women after menopause. [1,5] In addition, recent evidence Effect of menopause on lipid profile in relation to body mass indexAbstract Background: Menopause is a natural event in the ageing process and signifies the end of reproductive years with cessation of cyclic ovarian function as manifested by cyclic menstruation. Lipid profile is altered in menopause because of various reasons. Objectives: The study was aimed to compare the lipid profile in women with normal body mass index (BMI) = 18.9-24.9 and women with BMI = 25-29.9 in both pre-and post-menopausal group. Materials and Methods: Estimation of total cholesterol (TC) by CHOD-PAP Cholesterol Oxidase -Peroxidase + Aminophenazone + Phenol method, triglyceride (TG) by enzymatic calorimetric method, high density lipoproteincholesterol (HDL-C) phosphotungstic acid method, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) by using Friedewald formula and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) was done by using the formula -VLDL = TG/5 in 30 women selected in each group. Results: Our study revealed that serum levels of TC, TG and LDL-C were significantly higher in postmenopausal women in comparison to their pre-menopausal counterparts, irrespective of BMI (P < 0.05). Similarly, HDL-C levels were significantly lower in post-menopausal women as compared with pre-menopausal women of similar BMI (P < 0.05). Conclusions: We found that serum levels of TC, TG and LDL-C were significantly higher in post-menopausal women in comparison to their pre-menopausal counterparts, irrespective of BMI. Similarly, HDL-C levels were significantly lower in post-menopausal women as compared to pre-menopausal women of similar BMI. Since we found similar changes in women of different BMIs, the difference in hormonal status is the probable cause of altered lipid profile. Hence, all post-menopausal women irrespective of body weight and BMI should be strongly counseled to have proper physical exercise and dietary habits to avoid the possible cardiovascular complications.

Background:Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by abnormal lipid and glucose metabolism. Various modes of adjuvant therapy have been advocated to ameliorate insulin resistance.Aim:This study was intended to assess the effects of antioxidants; alpha lipoic acid (ALA), omega 3 fatty acid and vitamin E on parameters of insulin sensitivity (blood glucose and HbA1c) in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus with documented insulin resistance.Subjects and Methods:It was a prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, single centered study. 104 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with insulin resistance were recruited. They were given ALA, omega 3 fatty acid, vitamin E or placebo. Fasting blood glucose and HbA1c were measured at first visit (V1) and after 90 days (V2). Statistical analysis was carried out by paired t-test by using SPSS software version 11 (SPSS, Chicago, USA).Results:Analysis of baseline (V1) vs. end of treatment period (V2) parameters, showed significant decrease in HbA1c in the three treatment group. We also observed decrease in fasting blood glucose in the three treatment group but it was not statistically significant (Gr. I = 0.51, Gr. II = 0.05, Gr. III = 0.22, Gr. IV = 0.88).Conclusion:ALA, Omega 3 fatty acid and vitamin E can be used as add on therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus to improve insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism.

The present study shows that type II DM patients suffer from skeletal muscle dysfunction in the form of reduced hand grip strength and endurance. Hence the treating Physician should not be ignorant about these disabilities. In addition to the strict measures to control the blood glucose levels, interventions to improve the muscle mass and strength in these patients should be undertaken.