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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Akiko S. Hosler, PhD, Theresa M. Hinman, MPH, and Harlan R. Juster, PhD. Bureau of Chronic Disease Epidemiology and Surveillance, New York State Department of Health, Room 565, Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237, 518-473-0673, ash05@health.state.ny.us

Smoking is a major risk factor for complications in people with diabetes mellitus (DM). In New York State (NYS), age-adjusted smoking prevalence in DM population (21.8%) is comparable to that in the general population (21.9%). DM smokers should be advised about smoking cessation and closely monitored for signs of complications. The present study compares five major diabetes care indicators between DM smokers (n=2,261) and age-sex-race-matched DM non-smokers (n=2,261) obtained from the diabetes community coalition client data. The mean age was 54.4 years, 44.8% were male, and 30% were members of minority groups. DM smokers had significantly lower (p<0.001) rates in four indicators, including biannual A1C test (45.7% vs 54.1%), annual dilated eye exam (57.8% vs 65.3%), annual flu vaccination (50.0% vs 60.5%), and biannual professional foot examination (38.3% vs 45.5%). Only pnuemococcal vaccination showed no significant difference (34.9% vs 40.5%). DM smokers were more likely to be without health care coverage or on a government health plan than DM non-smokers. After adjusting for insurance status, however, DM smokers still had significantly lower rates in the same four indicators. The NYS Adult Tobacco Survey (2003-2004) indicated that although 80% of DM smokers had been advised to stop smoking by physicians, only 50.5% reported actually attempting to quit. DM smokers were significantly less likely to acknowledge smoking causes cardiovascular complications than DM non-smokers (77.5% vs 92.5%). Health care professionals need to be more vigilant to advise DM smokers to quit smoking and comply with recommended care standards.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Recognize the negative association between smoking and diabetes care standards.
• Identify barriers associated with smoking education and cessation in diabetes patients who smoke.
• Understand statistical methods to adjust confounding factors in comparing smoking prevalence among various population groups.

Keywords: Diabetes, Smoking

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered