Lung functions in poorly controlled type 1 Saudi diabetic children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the lung function among Saudi type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) children and adolescents.

METHODS: This study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Pulmonology and University Diabetes Centre, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from December 2008 to July 2010. A group of 52 (26 male and 26 female) volunteer T1DM children were recruited with an age range from 8-14 years (mean 12.05 ± 1.42 years), mean duration of disease of 5.25 ± 0.47 years, and mean glycosylated hemoglobin of 11.27 ± 0.31%. Spirometry was performed on an Electronic Spirometer (Compact Vitalograph, Stockwell, London, UK).

RESULTS: Pulmonary function in children with diabetes showed significant lower mean values of actual lung function parameters forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and maximum mid expiratory flow rate (MMEF) compared to their predicted values. However, there was no significant reduction in the actual forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC% compared to their predicted values.

CONCLUSIONS: The actual lung function data among Saudi T1DM children and adolescents showed significantly lower values of FVC, PEF, and MMEF compared to the predicted lung function data.