Study on the imbalance of lung function and immunity level in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease combined with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objective To investigate the changes of pulmonary function, immune activity, and clinical significance in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)combined with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM). Methods 120 COPD patients, in which 48 patients also have T2DM(T2DM group), were studied in our hospital from January 2015 to January 2016.Patients’ pulmonary function, immune index was compared and analyzed. Results The ratio of cells with CD3+ , CD4+ and CD4+ /CD8+ in T2DM group was significantly lower than that in the patients with COPD only(t=4.209, t=4.598, t=5.617, P<0.05), while the ratio of cells with CD8+ was higher than that in patients with COPD only(t=4.157, P<0.05). Moreover, serum IFN-γ and IL-10 in patients with COPD combined with T2DM were significantly lower than that in patients with only COPD(P<0.05). IL-4 and IL-8 levels in patients with COPD combined with T2DM were higher than that in patients with only COPD(t=4.839, t=8.529, P<0.05). Furthermore, forced vital capatiry(FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second(FEV1), and diffasing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide(DLCO) levels in COPD patients combined with T2DM were significantly lower than that of the patients with only COPD(t=3.006, t=5.966, t=6.210, P<0.05). Conclusion Elderly COPD patients combined with T2DM showed worse lung function, which could be associated with increased inflammatory response and immune imbalance. Key words: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Type 2 diabetes mellitus; Lung function; Immunity