Passive smoking: it increases the risk of developing glucose intolerance

Passive smoking increases the risk of developing glucose intolerance among young adults, according to a study published in the journal "British Medical Journal" (BMJ).

Previous studies have revealed a positive association between active smoking and diabetes, unlike other. However, passive smoking was not considered in these studies.

In the CARDIA study (Coronary artery risk development in young adults), a prospective study of 15 years of follow up, Thomas Houston Veterans Affairs Medical Center Birmingham, Alabama, and colleagues evaluated the association between active and passive smoking and glucose intolerance (blood glucose and 1.26 1 g / l) or diabetes (blood glucose greater than or equal to 1.26 g / l).

This study included 5115 people aged 18-30 years and initially with no glucose intolerance, including: 1386 smokers, 621 former smokers, 1,452 non-smokers exposed to passive smoking and smoking or 1113 or exposed to passive smoking.

In total, 16.7% of participants developed glucose intolerance and diabetes 3.1% during follow-up.

The incidence (number of new cases per year) to 15 years of intolerance to glucose was higher among smokers (21.8%), followed by non-smokers exposed to passive smoking (17.2%) and former smokers (14.4%). Among non-smokers not exposed to passive smoking, the incidence was 11.5%.

After adjusting for several sociodemographic, biological and behavioral risk of developing glucose intolerance was increased by 65% in smokers and 35% in non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke, compared to non-smokers not exposed.

The risk for former smokers was similar to that of non-smokers not exposed.

The same analysis also revealed an increase in smokers and non-smokers exposed to passive smoking in the risk of diabetes, but not significantly.

"In summary, we found that exposure to tobacco smoke is associated with the development of glucose intolerance over a period of 15 years, with an apparent dose-response effect (...) We have identified exposure to smoking liability for non-smokers as a new risk factor for glucose intolerance, "the authors conclude.