The Impact of Smoking on Symptoms and Treatment Outcomes of Patients in Diabetics

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of smoking on symptoms and treatment outcomes of patients with the Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. The study included 100 consecutive patients diagnosed and treated in the department during the period of one year. The results showed that out of the 100 participants, 21 were ex-smokers and 9 were current smokers. The remaining 70 were non-smokers. It was found that ex and current smokers had significantly higher glycated hemoglobin levels than non-smokers. Also, smokers had significantly higher weight gain as compared to the non-smokers. A significant number of smokers reported increased late onset and more difficulties in controlling the symptoms of disease as compared to non-smokers. In general, the findings suggest that smoking has a negative impact on the symptoms and treatment outcomes of patients with diabetes and endocrinology. It is therefore important to consider smoking status in the management of diabetes and endocrinology and to provide adequate smoking cessation advice.

Objectives:

The primary aim of this study is to examine the impact of smoking on symptoms and treatment outcomes of patients with the Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan.

Secondary aims include:

1. To determine the prevalence of smoking among diabetic patients at the Hayatabad Medical Complex.


2. To investigate the association of smoking with the symptoms and treatment outcomes of diabetes and endocrinology patients.


3. To identify factors associated with smoking among patients with diabetes and endocrinology.


4. To examine the impact of smoking cessation interventions on treatment outcomes in patients with diabetes and endocrinology.

Methodology:

Data was collected over the period of one year by a questionnaire. The study assessed the smoking status of 100 consecutive patients diagnosed and treated in the Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar from feb 2020 to feb 2021. The patient’s information regarding their age, gender, smoking status, glycosylated hemoglobin level, weight gain, frequency and severity of diabetes symptoms and treatment outcomes were collected. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to determine the association between smoking status and diabetes and endocrinology symptoms and treatment outcomes.

Results:

The results of the study showed that out of the 100 participants, 21 were ex-smokers and 9 were current smokers. The remaining 70 were non-smokers. The mean age of the participants was 40.56±7.3 years. The majority of the participants (68%) were females. It was found that the ex and current smokers had significantly higher gyrated hemoglobin levels than non-smokers (p<0.05). Also, smokers had significantly higher weight gain as compared to the non-smokers (p<0.05).  A significant number of smokers reported increased late onset and more difficulties in controlling the symptoms of disease as compared to non-smokers (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

The findings of this study suggest that smoking has a negative impact on the symptoms and treatment outcomes of patients with diabetes and endocrinology. Smokers had higher glycosylated hemoglobin levels, higher weight gain, increased late onset and more difficulties in controlling the symptoms of disease. Thus, it is important to consider smoking status in the management of diabetes and endocrinology and to provide adequate smoking cessation advice.