Assessment of the Relation Between Diabetes Mellitus and Current Smokers Across Varying Demographics and Socioeconomic Characteristics: A Cross-Sectional Study

Smoking induces oxidative stress and inflammation, which can impair insulin function and increase the risk of developing diabetes. Understanding this modifiable risk factor across diverse demographic and socioeconomic groups is essential for targeted public health interventions. To assess the relationship between current smoking and self-reported diabetes and to analyze how this association varies across demographics and socioeconomic characteristics. Methodology: This retrospective study used data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The primary variables were smoking status and self-reported diabetes. Control variables included age, gender, race, education, and income. Data was extracted using the BRFSS Web-Enabled Analysis Tool. Cross-tabulations were performed for each variable, with results reported as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A total of 408,857 respondents across all U.S. locations aged 18 years and older were recorded; among these, 7,028 (14.1%) current smokers reported having diabetes, while 49,652 (13.8%) non-smokers reported having diabetes. The likelihood of diabetes among current smokers was slightly higher but statistically non-significant (OR = 1.025, 95% CI: 0.997-1.053). Highest odds were observed in smokers aged 65+ (n = 2,522, 20.7%), female individuals (n = 3,603, 14.7%), non-Hispanic others (n = 1,381, 16%), and those with advanced education (n = 3,472, 13.4%). Lower odds were found in male individuals (n = 3,425, 13.6%) and Black, non-Hispanic (n = 830, 18.9%), low-income < $50,000 (n = 4,266, 16.5%), and basic education (n = 3,535, 14.9%). Therefore, the diabetes likelihood with smoking varies by age, sex, race, income, and education. While the overall association between smoking and diabetes was statistically insignificant, notable differences were found among demographic and socioeconomic subgroups. Further prospective studies are recommended to explore these in depth.