FREQUENCY OF DIABETES IN PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Abstract

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is increasingly recognized as a systemic condition with multiple comorbidities, including diabetes mellitus. The co-existence of these diseases can significantly affect patient outcomes, yet regional data quantifying their association remains limited. Understanding the burden of diabetes among COPD patients is essential for integrated disease management, especially in resource-constrained settings where early identification and preventive counseling can reduce complications and improve quality of life.

Objective: To determine the frequency of diabetes mellitus among patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pulmonology, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, from September 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025. A total of 121 patients, both male and female, aged between 45 and 70 years, and clinically diagnosed with COPD were included. Diabetes mellitus was diagnosed using fasting blood glucose levels >126 mg/dL or HbA1c >6.5%, or a prior history of antidiabetic medication use. Demographic and clinical data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Frequencies, means, and standard deviations were calculated, and chi-square tests were used for statistical associations, with a significance level of p<0.05.

Results: The mean age of participants was 58.90 ± 6.70 years, with a mean BMI of 25.11 ± 1.00 kg/m² and average COPD duration of 7.81 ± 2.75 years. Most participants (68.6%) were over 55 years of age, and 51.2% were female. Diabetes mellitus was identified in 26 patients (21.0%). No statistically significant association was observed between diabetes and baseline characteristics such as age, gender, BMI, disease duration, education, smoking, or profession.

Conclusion: A considerable proportion of COPD patients were found to have diabetes mellitus. Although certain trends, such as older age and longer disease duration, were noted among diabetic patients, no statistically significant correlations were established, underscoring the need for broader, multicentric investigations.