Adults who quit smoking face increased risk for type 2 diabetes during the first several years after quitting, according to an Annals of Internal Medicine study.
Researchers followed nearly 11,000 middle-aged adults for roughly 9 years, during which about 12% developed diabetes. Compared with adults who never smoked, those who continued smoking during follow-up had a roughly 30% elevated risk for diabetes, while those who quit smoking by year 3 had almost a 75% increase in risk. The elevated risk among these new quitters seemed to be mediated by adverse metabolic changes, including weight gain and systemic inflammation.
The authors write: "Of course, smoking cessation has many beneficial health effects that outweigh this short-term risk.
Nonetheless, physicians should be aware of this elevated risk and should consider countermeasures [e.g., lifestyle counseling, aggressive weight management], especially for heavy smokers."
Source : Annals of Internal Medicine article (Free abstract; full text requires subscription)
Dato' Dr. Ismail Yaacob
Medical Director/Consultant Physician
Kedah Medical Centre
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