NIDDM, IMPAIRED GLUCOSE-TOLERANCE, AND PULMONARY-FUNCTION IN OLDER ADULTS - THE RANCHO-BERNARDO STUDY

OBJECTIVE - To determine whether NIDDM or plasma glucose level in subj ects without diabetes is associated with reduced pulmonary function in 525 men and 714 women, 51-95 years of age. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD S - The analysis was based on data from a community-based study, the R ancho Bernardo Study. Between 1984 and 1987, 82% of community-dwelling residents had an oral glucose tolerance test. Between 1988 and 1991, 80% had lung function assessed by spirometry (forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1] and forced vital capacity [FVC]). RESULTS - In analyses adjusted for age, height, and cigarette smoking, pulmonary function n as not associated with known or newly diagnosed NIDDM in men or women. However, FEV1 and FVC were each independently reduced in men with dia betes of 10 or more years duration. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level s were correlated with FEV1 and FVC in men without diabetes. No associ ations were found in women. CONCLUSIONS - The overall absence of an as sociation of NIDDM with pulmonary function in these older adults may r eflect survival bias and the small number of subjects with severe diab etes or diabetes of prolonged duration. The apparent relation of FPG l evels to FEV1 and FVC suggests that any effect of glycemia precedes di abetes and contradicts any putative causal role for duration and sever ity of glycemia, however. More epidemiological studies are needed to p rovide further information about the relationship between NIDDM and lu ng function.