Respiratory Muscle Performance in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes

Respiratory muscle strength and endurance were examined in 31 Type 1 diabetic patients and in age, sex, and weight matched control subjects. No significant difference in respiratory muscle strength was noted between the two groups. Maximal static inspiratory pressure was 92.3 ± 33.9 (± SD) and 99.5 ± 23.0% of the predicted values in the patient and control groups, respectively. Maximal static expiratory pressures were 75.1 ± 14.3 and 77.4 ± 14.0% of the predicted values in the patient and control groups, respectively. Respiratory muscle endurance was significantly lower in the diabetic patients 88.9 ± 20.7 vs 103.9 ± 15.8% predicted in the control group (p < 0.01). Total lung capacity, vital capacity, and maximal voluntary ventilation were also significantly lower in the diabetic group and correlated with the duration of diabetes. 1990 Diabetes UK