Unbalance Glycometabolic in Elderly Woman None Diabetic COPD Patients

Abstract

Background: It has been estimated that by 2020, the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) will be the third place among the most important causes of death in all over the world. Studies focusing on risk factors that influence the admission or readmission to the hospital are limited. The administration of medications can contribute to unplanned readmission. Moreover, in the course of COPD, treatment with cortisone determines a high risk of worsening of glucose control. The guidelines on the management of COPD do not address this issue in detail, although the number of COPD patients with diabetes mellitus is considerable and significant. Clinical studies designed specifically on this population are needed in order to identify effective and safe therapeutic pathways.

Methods: We conducted an observational, descriptive study in a health area of the Molise Region that included 300 elderly subjects aged >= 65 and followed from June 2012 to June 2013.

Results and Conclusions: Our preliminary study revealed that the prevalence of unbalance glycometabolic (as indicated by HbA1c > 7%) in COPD patients was > 50%. In particular, this difference was more frequent in COPD woman patients and it warrants further investigation.




J Endocrinol Metab. 2013;3(4-5):91-97
doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/jem194e