Alcohol: an underscored risk factor for diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the link between alcohol consumption and glycoregulation.

Patients and methods: Cross-sectional study during the annual occupational health check-up at the work site, concerning 7402 workers, excluding known diabetic persons and pregnant women. Alcohol consumption was recorded as the number of glasses of alcoholic beverage per day as stated by the subjects. A proxy for the glycoregulation was the level of capillary blood glucose measured with a reflectance meter (Reflolux) at the time of the visit. The association of alcohol consumption with impaired glycoregulation was assessed by multivariate analysis including potential confounders.

Results: Mean capillary blood glucose increased with increasing alcohol consumption, in both men and women. This association remained significant (p < 0.001) after adjustment for risk factors (multiple linear regression). Among 366 subjects with a fasting glycaemia or an oral glucose tolerance test, 26 were diabetic. Alcohol consumption was found independently associated by logistic regression with diabetes mellitus.

Conclusion: Alcohol consumption might be a target for primary and secondary prevention of impaired glycoregulation and diabetes mellitus.