AsianScientist (Jun. 25, 2013) – Research by Australian researchers show that better management of diabetes could dramatically improve outcomes for lung transplant patients.
The study, presented at The Endocrine Society’s Annual Meeting and Expo (ENDO 2013) last week, found that lung transplant patients who suffered from diabetes had a five-fold greater risk of dying, compared to patients who did not have diabetes.
Analysis of the data, taken from 386 lung transplants performed at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne between 2001 and 2010, showed that the average survival period for patients with diabetes was five years, compared with 10 years for those who did not have the condition.
The main cause of death in all transplant patients, irrespective of their diabetes status, was a lung condition known as bronchiolitis obliterans, which is a form of chronic rejection of the transplanted organ.
“The patients with diabetes were not dying of stroke, cardiovascular disease or other diabetes-related illnesses,” said Dr Kathryn Hackman, an endocrinologist who presented the research at the meeting.
“This suggests that diabetes could be affecting the transplanted lungs and causing them to fail earlier.”
Dr Hackman said that diabetes screening had previously not been a routine aspect of post-transplant care, but that this approach is now being rethought in light of this research.
“We have the knowledge and the means to easily and effectively manage diabetes. It’s quite possible that we could significantly improve the outlook for lung transplant patients,” said Dr Hackman.
The team will now confirm the effect of diabetes management on lung transplant patients through further clinical research.
——
Source: Monash University.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.
