Prevalence, risk factors, and comorbidities of type 2 diabetes among COPD patients at a Bhubaneswar secondary care hospital

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant community health problem distinguished by partially irreparable blockage of the airways with decrease in airflow intensifying with disease progression.

Objectives

This cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence, risk factors, and morbidities of diabetes among COPD patients.

Methods

In all, 3150 patients attending the OPD of the Dept. of TB & Chest Diseases at Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar between December, 2021 to June, 2022 were screened.

Results

Out of 3150 patients, only 205 were having COPD, the prevalence being 6.5%. It was observed that more males were having COPD than females. About 49% COPD patients were in age group above 61 years. 31% of the patients were either overweight or obese. 40% of the patients were of lower economic status. 51% were having family history of asthma/COPD. About 77% of the COPD patients were residing in urban areas while 71% were having no proper ventilation in their houses. 57% had more than 20 years of exposure to smoke, biomass, and dust. Some COPD patients had the symptoms of cough at night or morning, wheeze and some reported tightness of chest on exposure to dust. 71% of COPD patients were taking both oral and inhaler medicines. 18% of COPD patients were hospitalized for COPD related complications. 2.9% (6) of COPD patients were having Diabetes. The statistical analysis indicated significant differences between males and females for BMI (p < 0.011), locality (p < 0.048), literacy status (p < 0.0001), occupation (p < 0.00001), family history of asthma (p < 0.0114), exposure duration (p-value < 0.00003), ventilation status (p-value < 0.0004), respiratory symptoms (p-value < 0.0001) and FEV1/FVC < 70% predicted (p-value = 0.009) but no association between age, marital status, socio-economic status, duration of COPD and medication use.

Discussion

Several studies have reported that hypertension and hyperglycemia were steady risk factors for type 2 diabetes in COPD patients. Some others have reported an association between COPD and new onset of type 2 diabetes.

Conclusion

Our study found COPD patients to be at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes after accommodating for potential risk factors such as age, locality, exposure to smoke, biomass or dust, socio-economic status, etc. and co-morbidities like hypertension, hyperglycemia, etc.