Sheila M Alessi1, Nicole C Foster2, Carla J Rash3, Michelle A Van Name4, William V Tamborlane4, Eda Cengiz5, Sarit Polsky6, Julie Wagner7. 1. University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Department of Medicine and Calhoun Cardiology Center, Farmington, Connecticut, United States. Electronic address: salessi@uchc.edu. 2. Jael Center for Health Research, Tampa, Florida, United States. 3. University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Department of Medicine and Calhoun Cardiology Center, Farmington, Connecticut, United States. 4. Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, New Haven, Connecticut, United States. 5. Yale University School of Medicine, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, New Haven, Connecticut, United States; Bahcesehir University School of Medicine, Instanbul, Turkey. 6. University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes, Aurora, Colorado, United States. 7. University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, United States.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Alcohol consumption has serious potential consequences for persons with type 1 diabetes. This cross-sectional study examined associations between drinking status and diabetes-related outcomes. METHODS: Participants included 934 adults at Type 1 Diabetes Exchange Registry clinics who responded to an e-mail invitation to complete an electronic survey with items on alcohol consumption; glycated hemoglobin (A1C) and body mass index (BMI) were extracted from medical charts. Participants were an average 38±16 years of age, 61% were women and 90% were non-Hispanic white; A1C was 7.8%±1.5%. The sample was made up of 11% (n=103) never drinkers, 9% (n=89) former drinkers, 61% (n=567) current (past year) nonbinge drinkers and 19% (n=174) current binge drinkers. RESULTS: After controlling for covariates, diabetes distress was lower among never drinkers compared with former and nonbinge drinkers (p<0.009). Never drinkers compared with former drinkers had lower odds of past-year severe hypoglycemia (p=0.001) and lower odds of a neuropathy diagnoses (p=0.006). There were omnibus model trends toward associations between drinking status and diabetes self-care (p=0.10) and between drinking status and BMI (p=0.06). Never drinkers did not differ from other groups on daily frequency of blood glucose self-monitoring, A1C or past-year diabetic ketoacidosis (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest complex relationships between drinking and diabetes-related distress, and that recent severe hypoglycemia and the presence of neuropathy may motivate some to stop drinking. Prospective studies may improve understanding of these findings.
OBJECTIVES: Alcohol consumption has serious potential consequences for persons with type 1 diabetes. This cross-sectional study examined associations between drinking status and diabetes-related outcomes. METHODS: Participants included 934 adults at Type 1 Diabetes Exchange Registry clinics who responded to an e-mail invitation to complete an electronic survey with items on alcohol consumption; glycated hemoglobin (A1C) and body mass index (BMI) were extracted from medical charts. Participants were an average 38±16 years of age, 61% were women and 90% were non-Hispanic white; A1C was 7.8%±1.5%. The sample was made up of 11% (n=103) never drinkers, 9% (n=89) former drinkers, 61% (n=567) current (past year) nonbinge drinkers and 19% (n=174) current binge drinkers. RESULTS: After controlling for covariates, diabetes distress was lower among never drinkers compared with former and nonbinge drinkers (p<0.009). Never drinkers compared with former drinkers had lower odds of past-year severe hypoglycemia (p=0.001) and lower odds of a neuropathy diagnoses (p=0.006). There were omnibus model trends toward associations between drinking status and diabetes self-care (p=0.10) and between drinking status and BMI (p=0.06). Never drinkers did not differ from other groups on daily frequency of blood glucose self-monitoring, A1C or past-year diabetic ketoacidosis (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest complex relationships between drinking and diabetes-related distress, and that recent severe hypoglycemia and the presence of neuropathy may motivate some to stop drinking. Prospective studies may improve understanding of these findings.