Assessing the Risk of Peripheral Neuropathy Among Male Tobacco Smokers With Type 2 Diabetes: A Matched Case-Control Study

TL;DR

This study shows that male smokers with type 2 diabetes in the UAE are at higher risk of developing peripheral neuropathy.

Contribution

The study identifies a significant link between tobacco smoking and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in a specific population.

Findings

Cases were more likely to smoke and had longer smoking duration than controls.

Past smokers had a 4.10 times higher risk of DPN, and current smokers had a 2.48 times higher risk.

The study highlights the need for smoking cessation programs for this population.

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of diabetic complications and tobacco consumption are alarming worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the association between tobacco smoking and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) among male smokers with type 2 diabetes.

In a matched case-control study, participants were recruited from 2 major hospitals in Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Male patients aged ≥18 years and diagnosed with DPN who had type 2 diabetes mellitus for at least 1 year were recruited. Age-(±3 years)-matched controls with diabetes were recruited for each case. Sociodemographic characteristics and self-reported data on physical activity, and tobacco smoking were collected. Smoking status was assessed as current, past, or never. Medical and clinical data were collected from hospital records.

An equal 140 of each cases and controls were included in the analysis, with a mean (SD) age of 63.8 (10.6) and 63.7 (10.5), respectively. Cases were more likely to smoke and had a longer smoking duration than the controls. After adjusting for all potential confounders, the association between tobacco smoking and DPN was significant (past smokers [OR = 4.10; 95% CI = 1.84-9.17], and current smokers [OR = 2.48; 95% CI = 1.06-5.83]).

This study found a significant association between tobacco consumption and DPN among males with type 2 diabetes in the UAE. Targeted smoking cessation programmes are urgently needed.

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