SMOKING HABIT AND PROGRESSION OF DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY

Abstract

The effect of cigarette smoking on the progression of diabetic nephropathy was evaluated cross-sectionally in 155 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mel- litus of at least 5 years duration. Forty-four patients had a smoking habit. There was no difference in the duration of diabetes, mean value of HbA1c, or the prevalence of hyperten- sion between the smokers and nonsmokers. However, there was a significant difference in the distribution of a smoking habit among subgroups of diabetic patients with normoal- buminuria, microalbuminuria, and overt proteinuria. Thus, cigarette smoking in patients with diabetes is concluded to be a risk factor for the development of diabetic nephropathy.