BACKGROUND

Systemic lupus involves different body organs including lungs. However, there is limited information on the systemic lupus without respiratory symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide in women with disseminated lupus erythematosus and to compare it with a control group.

METHODS

This prospective study was conducted during 2005 in the Rheumatology Clinic of Alzahra Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. The diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide and pulmonary parameters were measured using the unrelated samples in 76 female patients with systemic lupus.

RESULTS

Mean diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide in patients with lupus was lower than the control group (P ≤ 0.001). The amount of corrected volumetric capacity of carbon monoxide in lungs of patients was significantly different from the control group (P ≤ 0.001). Residual volume and total capacity of lungs in the female patients with lupus were higher than the control group (P ≤ 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Decreased diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide in lungs of females with systemic lupus without respiratory symptoms is prevalent. It indicates alveolar capillary membrane involvement in these patients. Increased residual volume and total capacity of lungs in these patients can be caused by bronchiolitis.

Background:

This study aimed to compare different body mass index (BMI) categories in individuals with diabetes, prediabetes and normal glucose tolerance among the first degree relatives of type 2 diabetic patients.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted during 2005-2007 in Isfahan, Iran. It evaluated 3323 first-degree relatives of diabetic patients selected by consecutive convenient sampling method. Participants were classified as diabetic, prediabetic, and normal glucose tolerance test groups according to the results of 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for comparison of quantitative variables, and chi square test for comparison of categorical parameters.

Results:

The study population consisted of 3323 individuals including 306 diabetics (98 males and 208 females), 1309 prediabetics (337 males and 972 females), and 1708 normal subjects (430 males and 1278 females). Among diabetic patients, the prevalence of obesity was 48.5% in women and 27.6% in men. Among prediabetics, the corresponding figures were 45.6% and 27.3%, respectively.

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest that men are diagnosed with T2DM at lower BMI than women. Moreover, the alarming high prevalence of overweight and obesity among females necessitates preventing and controlling this underlying problem among females.

Determination of vitamin D status in different age-groups in a community and in different climates of a country is necessary and has important implications for general health. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among the adult population of Isfahan, a centrally-located city in Iran. In this cross-sectional study, 1,111 healthy people—243 men and 868 women—aged 41.4 (mean 14 and range 20-80) years, who attended a single-consultation outpatient clinic, were selected. Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD), parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium and phosphorus concentrations were measured. Mild, moderate and severe vitamin D deficiencies were defined as 25-OHD values of 20-30 ng/mL, 10-20 ng/mL, and <10 ng/mL respectively. The median (range) concentrations of 25-OHD were 21 (4.0-105.0) ng/mL in males and 18 (1.5-117) ng/mL in females (p=0.05). The prevalence of mild, moderate and severe vitamin D deficiencies among the adult population was 19.6%, 23.9%, and 26.9% respectively. Vitamin D deficiency was more prevalent among women (p=0.001) and younger age-group (p=0.001). Medians of 25-OHD in spring-summer and autumn-winter were 21 ng/mL and 18 ng/mL respectively (p=0.005). The prevalence of severe vitamin D deficiency was higher in autumn-winter than in spring-summer (odds ratio=1.6, 95% confidence interval 1.2-2.2, p=0.001). The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was high in a sunny city—Isfahan— especially among women and younger population. The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in this city emphasizes the necessity of vitamin D supplementation as more exposure to sun is limited due to the type of clothing required by current law.

BACKGROUND:

The aim of this study is to investigate the need for diabetes primary prevention program in isolated impaired fasting glucose (i-IFG) of the first degree relatives of type 2 diabetics.

METHODS:

In a cross sectional study, 793 individuals with prediabetes [543 with i-IFG and 250 with isolated impaired glucose tolerance (i-IGT)] who were the first degree relatives of type 2 diabetic patients, were enrolled. Isolated IFG was considered as fasting plasma glucose between 100-125 mg/dl and 2 hour plasma glucose < 140 mg/dl and isolated IGT as FPG < 100 mg/dl and 2 hour plasma glucose between 140-199 mg/dl during an overnight fasting 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. Mean of the age, weight, waist circumference, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, plasma glucose, HbA1C, and lipid profile were compared between two groups (i-IFG and i-IGT). The prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, hypertension, cholesterol ≥ 200 mg/dl, LDL-C ≥ 100 mg/dl, HDL-C ≤ 40 mg/dl, and triglyceride ≥ 150 mg/dl) adjusted by age, sex and BMI were compared.

RESULTS:

The prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors is higher in i-IFG group than i-IGT. The mean level of LDL-C is significantly higher in i-IFG than i-IGT group.

CONCLUSIONS:

First degree relatives of T2DM with isolated impaired fasting glucose should probably be included in the primary preventive program for diabetes. However, longitudinal cohort study is required to show high progression of i-IFG to T2DM.