Elevated surfactant protein A (SP-A) and reduced lung function status in poorly-controlled diabetes mellitus (DM) subjects

Akaninyene Ime; Clement Nku; Eme Osim; Daniel Owu; Ikhueoya Augustine

Akaninyene Ime Department of Medical Physiology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Huye, Rwanda
Clement Nku Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
Eme Osim Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
Daniel Owu Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
Ikhueoya Augustine Department of Biochemistry, Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Keywords: surfactant protein A, spirometry, restrictive lung disease, oxygen saturation, glycaeted haemoglobin, diabetes mellitus

Abstract

This study assessed lung function status of DM subjects. Materials and methods: 64 females consisting of 32 control and 32 DM subjects participated in this study. Spirometry and blood analysis were used to assess lung function status. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), percentage of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%), oxygen saturation (SPO2), fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycaeted haemoglobin (HbA1c), oxygen content of blood (O2), haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and SP-A were measured. Results: Results obtained showed that the mean FEV1 and FEV1% were significantly decreased (P<0.05) in DM subjects when compared to control. However, the mean FEV1% of DM subjects was not significantly below 80%. SPO2, O2 content and Hb concentration were significantly reduced (P<0.05) in DM subjects when compared to control. BHBA, HbA1c, SP-A were all significantly higher (P<0.05) in DM subjects when compared to control. Most DM subjects were poorly controlled as seen in their HbA1c values above 6.8%. The results of this study strongly indicate that poorly controlled DM patients are at risk of restrictive lung disease. There is therefore the need for regular monitoring of lung function status of diabetic patients, especially the poorly controlled.