Changes in smoking status, amount of smoking and their relation to the risk of microvascular complications in men with diabetes mellitus

The Association of Smoking Status with Diabetic Microvascular Complications in Korean Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

PURPOSE

Few studies have investigated the association between smoking and microvascular complications in the Asian population with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We aimed to investigate the relationship between smoking status and microvascular complications in Korean patients with T2DM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From the Korean National Diabetes Program cohort, we included 2316 Korean male with T2DM who had baseline clinical information available, including their smoking status, and underwent diabetic complication studies.

RESULTS

Compared to non-smokers, current smokers had higher odds of any-microvascular complications [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-1.97, p=0.016]. The odds of neuropathy were significantly higher; however, the odds of retinopathy were significantly lower in current smokers than in nonsmokers (all p<0.05). Among those who underwent repeated complication tests after 3 years, the risk of newly developed retinopathy was significantly increased in ex-smokers [aOR 3.77 (95% CI 1.61-8.87), p=0.002]. Within ex-smokers, long smoking duration and smoking cessation within the recent 5 years were associated with an increased risk of newly developed retinopathy (all p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Male smokers had higher odds of having overall diabetic microvascular complications, including neuropathy. However, the odds of having retinopathy were significantly lower among current smokers. More attention and research are needed regarding the increased risk of retinopathy development in ex-smokers who have recently stopped smoking after a long history of smoking.

Identification of Risk Factors for the Development of Diabetic Retinopathy Among Palestinian Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

Although risk factors linked to diabetic retinopathy (DR) among patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been extensively studied globally, the specific determinants of these factors in relation to DR in Palestine are presently not well understood.

METHODS

This retrospective cross-sectional study included patients who underwent DR screening with a fundus camera (VersaCam a). The study included patients aged ≥18 with T2DM, excluding those with other types of diabetes or a history of malignancies. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with DR.

RESULTS

A total of 1163 patients with T2DM were included in this study. Of these, 211 (18.1%) patients were classified in the DR group, 761 (65.4%) in the no DR group and 191 (16.4%) were ungradable. Among the included patients, 434 (37.3%) were male. A secondary level of education or higher and a BMI ≥30 kg/m2, compared with <25 kg/m2, were independently and inversely associated with DR, with odds ratios (ORs) of 0.46 (p < 0.001) and 0.58 (p = 0.046), respectively. A 5-year increase in the duration of T2DM correlated with 45% higher odds of having DR (p < 0.001). Patients with DR were more likely to have HbA1c >7%, be physically inactive and use insulin, with ORs of 1.63 (p = 0.02), 2.05 (p < 0.001) and 1.53 (p = 0.03), respectively. Age, gender, occupational status, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia were not independent predictors of DR (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Longer duration of T2DM, HbA1c >7%, physical inactivity and insulin use were all independently associated with the presence of DR. Furthermore, a secondary or higher educational level and obesity demonstrated independent and inverse associations with the development of DR.

Influence of quitting smoking on diabetes-related complications: A scoping review with a systematic search strategy

INTRODUCTION

Smoking in people with diabetes markedly elevates their risk of developing complications and increases the likelihood of cardiovascular mortality. This review is the first to specifically provide evidence-based analysis about the influence of quitting smoking on diabetes-related complications in people with type 2 diabetes.

METHOD

The present review was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Extension for Scoping Reviews. All human clinical studies assessing the effects of stopping smoking cessation on diabetes-related complications were included. PubMed and Embase were screened until January 2024. References of primary studies and principal peer-reviewed scientific journals in the field were manually screened.

RESULTS

We identified a total of 1023 studies. Only 26 met the criteria for eligibility. In general quitting smoking is associated with decreased risks of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. Regarding microvascular complications, the strongest evidence for the beneficial effects of smoking cessation is observed in diabetic nephropathy. However, the relationship between smoking cessation and retinopathy, neuropathy, diabetic foot complications and diabetic-related erectile dysfunction, is poorly investigated.

CONCLUSION

Quitting smoking offers significant advantages in managing diabetes-related complications, significantly lowering the risks of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and diabetic nephropathy. This underscores the importance of cessation. Providing evidence-based information on the benefits of stopping smoking for people with type 2 diabetes who smoke, can bolster smoking cessation efforts in the context of diabetes management.

Tobacco smoking and diabetes. A comparative survey among diabetologists and smoking cessation specialists

AIMS

Because tobacco smoking is a major risk factor of mortality in diabetes and guidelines suggest evaluating smoking behavior among individuals with diabetes and helping smokers quit, we aimed to assess knowledge about the tobacco smoking - diabetes relationship among diabetologists and smoking cessation specialists (SCS).

METHODS

An online cross sectional survey was conceived by the Working Group on Smoking and Diabetes, France. The questionnaire was tested by the members of the Working Group and deemed to be completed in less than 5 min. Only questions receiving the highest number of approval ratings were kept for the survey. The questionnaire was sent to all members of the French Language Society of Diabetes (Société Francophone du Diabète, SFD), N = 969 and the French Language Society on Tobacco (Société Francophone de Tabacologie, SFT), N = 307. The mailing lists of members were obtained with the previous agreement of the societies' board.

RESULTS

225 diabetologists and 97 SCS (response rate 23.2% and 31.5%, respectively) completed the questionnaire. Over 90% of the diabetologists reported recording smoking status of their patients. Although diabetologists were aware that smoking increases all-cause mortality of individuals with diabetes, only 29.3% were aware that smoking is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes (76.3% among SCS), for poor glycemic control: 32.9% (86.6% among SCS). Significantly less diabetologists (64%) than SCS (76.3%) were aware of smoking being a risk factor for microangiopathy. More diabetologists considered that smoking cessation is more important than optimizing glycemic control among individuals with type 2 (69.3%) than among those with type 1 diabetes (47.1%). Few diabetologists (11.1%) and SCS (14.4%) reported to be trained for smoking cessation among persons with diabetes.

CONCLUSION

Specific knowledge about the negative tobacco smoking - diabetes association seems to be insufficient among French diabetologists. Diabetologists but also other health care professionals should be trained to help individuals with diabetes who smoke to quit smoking.