Abstract
BackgroundChronic diabetic complications may afflict all organ tissues, including those of the respiratory system. The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is an alternative and widely used method of assessing functional capacity and is simple to perform. However, to our knowledge, the impact of diabetes mellitus on 6MWT performance has not been investigated previously. This research aimed to compare the functional exercise capacity and pulmonary functions in patients with diabetes and in healthy persons.MethodsThe study included 131 participants: 64 patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and 67 healthy participants (CG). All of the participants were nonsmoking and did not have pulmonary disorders that affected the pulmonary function tests or 6MWT. Metabolic parameters and biochemical markers of inflammation were assessed. Full lung function tests and a 6MWT were performed.ResultsIn the DM group, the walking distance was 109 m shorter than that in the CG (P < 0.001). Moreover, compared to the CG, the DM group showed lower values of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1 (l) 3.6 vs. 2.8, P < 0.001) and total lung capacity (TLC (l) 6.6 vs. 5.6, P < 0.001), as well as a decrease in diffusion capacity (DLCO (mmol/min/kPa), 10.0 vs. 8.6, P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe 6MWT is a valuable test that complements the assessment of daily physical capacity in patients with diabetes, irrespective of type. Pulmonary function and the capacity for physical exertion varied between patients with diabetes mellitus and the healthy participants in the CG.
Highlights
Chronic diabetic complications may afflict all organ tissues, including those of the respiratory system
Group demographics The study included a total of 131 participants: 64 patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes (DM) and 67 healthy patients in the control group (CG)
The people in the CG were taller than the patients with diabetes mellitus (DM)
Summary
Chronic diabetic complications may afflict all organ tissues, including those of the respiratory system. To our knowledge, the impact of diabetes mellitus on 6MWT performance has not been investigated previously. This research aimed to compare the functional exercise capacity and pulmonary functions in patients with diabetes and in healthy persons. The number of people with diabetes mellitus increased from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014 [1]. Stroke, and atherosclerosis of the lower extremities are found earlier and more often in patients with diabetes, as a result of vascular complications; adults with diabetes have a two- to three-fold increased risk of heart attacks and strokes [4, 5]. Vascular complications in diabetes affect patients’ daily physical capacity and quality of life. Diabetes belongs to a group of disorders that reduce typical physical capacity and may influence pulmonary function [6]
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