Frequencies of various Lower Respiratory tract Infections in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Abstract

Background: Respiratory tract infections play a significant role in the morbidity and mortality of patients with diabetes mellitus. Defects conferred by diabetes in the immune system related to the functioning of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes were the reason for increased infections in diabetics. The objective of the present study was to determine the frequency of various lower respiratory tract infections in Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Methodology: The present study was conducted at the Department of Pulmonology, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, BahawalpurTotal 139 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with an age range from 30-60 years of either gender were selected. Patients with tuberculosis, chest trauma, asthma, and sore throat were excluded. Results: Mean age was 41.64 ± 8.49 years. Out of the 139 patients, 95 (68.35%) were male and 44 (31.65%) were females. Pneumonia was found in 33 (23.74%), acute bronchitis in 29 (20.86%), pleural effusion in 14 (10.07%), pleuritis in 23 (16.55%) and pulmonary tuberculosis in 52 (38.13%) patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: This study concluded that the frequency of various lower respiratory tract infections especially pulmonary tuberculosis is quite high in our patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.