Smokers are much more likely to develop diabetes compared with their non-smoking peers, according to...
Smokers are much more likely to develop diabetes compared with their non-smoking peers, according to recent findings by researchers in Switzerland.
The study, conducted at the University of Lausanne and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that the risk of diabetes was greater for heavy smokers than for lighter smokers and lower for former smokers compared with active smokers.
It reviewed 25 existing studies, involving 1.2 million people and found that active smokers have a 44% increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Heavier smokers increased this risk to 61% while lighter smokers were discovered to be 29% more likely to have glucose abnormalities.
The researchers said that smoking may lead to insulin resistance or inadequate compensatory insulin secretion responses.
Douglas Smallwood, chief executive at Diabetes UK, said of the findings: "Smoking may be one of the pieces missing from the diabetes jigsaw that could help us to identify who is at higher risk.
"We already know that certain lifestyle factors such as being overweight or leading a sedentary lifestyle increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate with 100,000 people diagnosed every year. The more we can find out about the exact causes of the condition the better chance we have of slowing down this growth."
The reseachers said heavy smokers were most at risk. Previous research has linked smoking to insulin resistance, which often leads to diabetes.
According to a BBC online report, proving a link is difficult because smokers tend to indulge in other unhealthy habits, such as not exercising enough and eating unhealthy foods.
About three in 100 people in the UK aged over 40, and about 10% of over-65s have type 2 diabetes. It is more common in people who are overweight or obese and the disease also tends to run in families.
