Current smoking and type 2 diabetes among patients in selected Indian Health Service clinics, 1998-2003.
OBJECTIVE
In non-American Indian/Alaska Native groups, current smoking prevalence is similar for those with or without diabetes (26%) We analyzed current smoking prevalence in American Indian/Alaska Natives by diabetes status.


METHODS
Data were extracted from Indian Health Service clinic visit information from 1998 to 2003. After consolidation into unique patient records, the sample comprised 71221 patients aged 14 years or older with both diabetes and current smoking information.


RESULTS
Cross-sectional results indicated that diabetic American Indian/Alaska Natives were significantly more likely than those without diabetes to be current smokers (29.8% vs 18.8%; P<.01). Smoking rates were 2 to 3 times higher among diabetic American Indians and Alaska Natives for each age category (P<.001), and current smokers with diabetes were more likely than nonsmokers to have glycosylated hemoglobin A1c levels at 8.0% or higher (P <.05).


CONCLUSIONS
American Indian/Alaska Natives with diabetes at all sites and age categories were found to smoke at significantly higher rates than those without diabetes. Smoking cessation programs should target diabetic patients to more effectively prevent complications and promote successful management of diabetes in American Indians/Alaska Natives.
Morton
Deborah J
DJ
Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093-0622, USA. dmorton@ucsd.edu
Garrett
Mario
M
Reid
Jennifer
J
Wingard
Deborah L
DL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000413:Alaska / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D004930:Inuit / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D016549:United States Indian Health Service / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin