Smoking prevalence in Type 2 diabetes: results of the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) and the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey (GNHIES)

AIMS: Smoking contributes to the development of diabetes and diabetes-related complications. Currently, data on smoking prevalence in subjects with diabetes in Germany are lacking. The aim of our analysis was to determine smoking prevalence in adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus using data from the two population-based studies in Germany. METHODS: From the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) (n = 4283) and the 1998 German National Health Interview and Examination Survey (GNHIES 98) (n = 6663) subjects aged 20-79 years were investigated. Descriptive statistics on smoking prevalence and behaviours were calculated for Type 2 diabetes mellitus and compared with the general population using weightings reflecting the European adult population. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of current smokers was lower among persons with than without Type 2 diabetes mellitus in SHIP (17.3% vs. 38.0%) and in GNHIES 98 (24.7% vs. 32.1%). Only in men, there were more former smokers in Type 2 diabetic patients than in subjects without diabetes in both studies. Among current and former smokers, the number of cigarettes smoked was higher among persons with than without Type 2 diabetes mellitus. For men, this finding was consistent in SHIP and GNHIES 98, while in women, this difference was only observed in GNHIES 98. CONCLUSIONS: The associations between smoking and Type 2 diabetes mellitus are likely to reflect behavioural changes secondary to illness or medical counselling. The high proportion of current smokers among Type 2 diabetic patients, particularly men, should be monitored in repeated surveys following the introduction of disease management programmes.