Despite rich microvascular networks in the lungs, studies are inconsistent regarding an association between diabetes and pulmonary function abnormality. A cross sectional study was conducted among 90 diabetic patients and an equal number of age and gender matched non-diabetic adults. Prevalence of pulmonary function test (PFT) abnormalities was estimated in both groups. Logistic regression was used to determine independent associations between diabetes and its complications considering other risk factors for altered lung function. PFT were abnormal in 71 (79%) (95% CI= 69.0 – 86.0) of 90 diabetic and 52 (58%) of non-diabetic patients (p=0.02). There were 42 (47%) diabetic adults with a restrictive pattern (95% CI= 36.0-57.4) while 29 (32%) had an obstructive pattern (95% CI= 22.9-43.0). Presence of diabetes, age, female sex, glycosylated hemoglobin and body mass index (BMI) were associated with abnormal PFT in univariate analysis, while only age, female sex and BMI had signifcant associations on multivariate analysis. To conclude, there was no independent association between diabetes status and abnormal lung function. Increasing age, higher BMI and female sex were independent risk factors for pulmonary dysfunction.

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