The Influence of Smoking, Cessation Measures, and Other Substances on Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine whether cigarette dependence is an independent risk factor for new-onset proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and related neovascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and to assess the impact of smoking cessation.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

A retrospective cohort analysis using a clinical database was conducted with adult type 2 DM patients, excluding those with conditions affecting PDR progression. Propensity score matching was used to balance demographic and clinical factors between cigarette-dependent patients and controls.

RESULTS

After matching, cigarette dependence was seen to significantly increase the risk of first-instance PDR (hazard ratio [HR] 1.195), vitreous hemorrhage (HR 1.450), neovascular glaucoma (HR 1.469), and tractional retinal detachment (HR 1.670). Smoking cessation attempts reduced these risks (HR 0.716 for PDR, 0.722 for complications).

CONCLUSIONS

Cigarette dependence increases the risk of PDR and its complications in type 2 DM, and smoking cessation reduces these risks.