The impact of insulin sensitisers on lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes

Abstract

SETTING: It has been reported that diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with poor pulmonary function, which could be explained by insulin resistance. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether insulin sensitisers (ISs) have beneficial effects on lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and DM. DESIGN: This retrospective study included patients with both COPD and DM who attended Seoul National University Hospital for treatment between 1 January 2000 and 31 August 2007. They were treated with inhalers for COPD and oral hypoglycaemia agents, including ISs or insulin, for DM. The primary outcome was a change in lung function in spirometric examinations. RESULTS: Among 61 patients enrolled, 32 were in the no IS group, while 29 were in the IS group. On multivariable regression analysis, the IS group showed a significantly greater change in forced vital capacity (FVC) than the no IS group (adjusted beta-coefficient 131.9, 95%CI 8.5-255.4, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with an IS was independently associated with improvements in FVC in patients with both COPD and DM, compared with treatment without IS.