Association of alcohol consumption with the impaired β-cell function independent of body mass index among Chinese men.

Alcohol consumption is associated with type 2 diabetes. However, the relationship between alcohol consumption and β-cell function is still unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between them. 675 Chinese men aged 20-75 years were recruited. The subjects were first classified into never drinkers, abstainers, light drinkers (0.1-19.9 g/day) , moderate drinkers (20.0-39.9 g/day) and heavy drinkers (≥ 40.0 g/day) and then, were further divided into two subgroups according to body mass index (BMI) (BMI<25kg/m² and BMI ≥ 25kg/m²). Analysis procedure was adjusted by the confounders including age, smoking status, BMI, waist circumference (WC), blood pressure, lipids and blood uric acid. Compared with never drinkers, alcohol consumption was associated with decreased homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-β) independent of BMI. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was significantly correlated with alcohol consumption history in the group of BMI<25kg/m² and was significantly correlated with alcohol consumption in the group of BMI ≥ 25kg/m². The results suggest that alcohol consumption is associated with the β-cell dysfunction independent of BMI in Chinese community dwelling men.