Inflammation appears to be a contributing factor to the incidence of type 2 diabetes, leading investigators to postulate that perhaps other inflammatory processes, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, may also be risk factors for developing the condition. However, according to a study of more than 100,000 women, COPD—but not asthma—appears to be a risk factor for diabetes.

Using data from the Nurses' Health Study, researchers found that patients with COPD had an 80% higher risk of type 2 diabetes than patients without COPD. In contrast, patients with asthma showed no increased risk. The authors state that differences in the inflammation and cytokine profiles of COPD and asthma may explain why only the former is linked with diabetes.

Source: Diabetes In Control.com: Diabetes Care, Oct 2004.