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OBJECTIVE: This study examines the associations between alcohol consumption, Type 2 diabetes and hypertension in a native American population. METHOD: Data were collected in a population-based cross-sectional and prospective study conducted on 3,789 individuals aged > or = 20 years. Reported alcohol consumption was classified as never, occasional or or = 3 drinks a day, and occasional heavy drinking. The prevalence and incidence of diabetes and hypertension by categories of alcohol intake were determined. RESULTS: About 68% of men and 39% of women reported some degree of alcohol consumption. There was no association between alcohol consumption and prevalence or incidence of diabetes, but a positive, statistically significant association between blood pressure and alcohol consumption was found in both genders. After adjustment for age, body mass index (BMI) and diabetes in a proportional hazards model in men, moderate drinkers (occasional or or = 3 drinks a day, this group was excluded from these analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol consumption did not affect the development of Type 2 diabetes, but it was associated with increased risk of hypertension, and this effect was independent of diabetes or BMI in both genders.
Saremi et al. (Mon,) studied this question.