Association between Alcohol Drinking and Metabolic Syndrome in Japanese Male Workers with Diabetes Mellitus

AIM: Results of previous studies on the relationship between habitual alcohol drinking and metabolic syndrome in a general population are not consistent, and this relationship in patients with diabetes is unknown. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship of alcohol consumption with metabolic syndrome in patients with diabetes. METHODS: Japanese male workers with diabetes (n = 1960) were divided into non-, light (< 22 g ethanol/day), heavy (≥ 22 and < 44 g ethanol/day) and very heavy (≥ 44 g ethanol/day) drinkers. Relationships of alcohol consumption with visceral obesity evaluated by waist circumference, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia (high triglycerides and/or low HDL cholesterol), hyperglycemia, and metabolic syndrome (3 or more of these risk factors by the NCEP-ATP III criteria) were investigated. RESULTS: Odds ratio vs. nondrinkers for high blood pressure was significantly high in all drinker groups, while odds ratio vs. nondrinkers for low HDL cholesterol was significantly low in all drinker groups. Odds ratio vs. nondrinkers for high triglycerides was significantly low in light drinkers and was significantly high in very heavy drinkers. Odds ratio vs. the nondrinker group for large waist circumference was not significant in any drinker groups. Odds ratio vs. nondrinkers for metabolic syndrome was significantly high in very heavy drinkers but was not significant in light and heavy drinkers. CONCLUSION: Excessive alcohol intake is associated with a higher risk for metabolic syndrome through elevations of blood pressure and triglycerides in Japanese male patients with diabetes.