COPD AND DIABETES MELLITUS –CONNECTION AND THERAPEUTIC DIFFICULTIES COPD AND DIABETES MELLITUS –CONNECTION AND THERAPEUTIC DIFFICULTIES

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:  There is the incompletely explored connection between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and diabetes mellitus type-2 [DM] that makes difficulties in the treatment of both in everyday clinical practice.                    

OBJECTIVE of this study is to represent the number of patients with COPD associated with DM treated in Clinic for pulmonary diseases and TB “Podhrastovi” in four- year period-from 2012. to 2015.                                                                                           

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study in which we analyzed the number of  patients with COPD associated with  DM according to age, sex, type of diabetes - insulin dependence  treated in four-year period in Clinic “Podhrastovi.                                                                         

RESULTS: In four-year period [(2012.-2015.]there were 9709 patients treated in Clinic “Podhrastovi”. 619 [6.38%] were discharged with diagnosis of COPD. Among them there were 362 males [58.48%] and 257 females [41.52%].  70 [11.31%] patients with COPD had    DM. 46 males or 12.71% of males with COPD had DM; 25 [54.35%] middle-aged 71.6 years were insulin dependent, and 21 [45.65%] middle-aged 64.8 years were insulin independent. 24 females or 9.34% of females with COPD had DM; 9 [37.5%] middle-aged 70.7 years were insulin dependent and 15 [62.5%] middle-aged 70.2 years were insulin independent.

 CONCLUSION Because of the link between COPD and DM, pulmonologist    should actively perform screening for DM. Therapeutic options should be carefully contemplated.    Patients with DM should be routinely screened for lung function for determining COPD risk. Collaboration between pulmonologist and diabetologist is fundamental for improving the treatment of these patients.                                                                                                         

KEY words: COPD, DM