Assessing the Risk of Peripheral Neuropathy Among Male Tobacco Smokers With Type 2 Diabetes: A Matched Case-Control Study

Background and Aims: The increasing prevalence of diabetic complications and tobacco consumption are alarming worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the association between tobacco smoking and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) among male smokers with type 2 diabetes. Research Design and Methods: In a matched case-control study, participants were recruited from 2 major hospitals in Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Male patients aged ≥18 years and diagnosed with DPN who had type 2 diabetes mellitus for at least 1 year were recruited. Age-(±3 years)-matched controls with diabetes were recruited for each case. Sociodemographic characteristics and self-reported data on physical activity, and tobacco smoking were collected. Smoking status was assessed as current, past, or never. Medical and clinical data were collected from hospital records. Results: An equal 140 of each cases and controls were included in the analysis, with a mean (SD) age of 63.8 (10.6) and 63.7 (10.5), respectively. Cases were more likely to smoke and had a longer smoking duration than the controls. After adjusting for all potential confounders, the association between tobacco smoking and DPN was significant (past smokers [OR = 4.10; 95% CI = 1.84-9.17], and current smokers [OR = 2.48; 95% CI = 1.06-5.83]). Conclusions: This study found a significant association between tobacco consumption and DPN among males with type 2 diabetes in the UAE. Targeted smoking cessation programmes are urgently needed.