Abstract

Diabetes is a common disease in sub-Saharan Africa. Complications associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus are due to macro-vascular and micro-vascular lesions. One of the less known complications of diabetes is impaired respiratory function. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ventilatory function of Senegalese type 2 diabetics. A total of Sixty-four women composed to 32 diabetic subjects and 32 healthy control individuals were included in this study. Spirographic recording was realized for the two groups. The HbAc1of diabetic patients was measured and duration of diabetic status was estimated and the diabetic groups were sub-divided according to HbA1C level (group -a>7.5%, group- b ≤ to 7.5%) and diabetic duration (group a> to 10 years and group< to 10 years). It was observed that 59% of diabetic patients had an obstructive bronchial which was localized in the distal bronchi. For the restrictive syndrome it was found in 31% of population with diabetic. Diabetes could cause a restrictive and obstructive ventilatory disorder. This phenomonea might probably be due to glycosylation abnormalities linked to type 2 diabetes.

Key words: Type 2 diabetes, spirometry, obstructive ventilatory disorder, restrictive ventilatory disorder.