Should Patients With Diabetes Drink to Their Health?
- Michael H. Criqui, MD, MPH;
- Beatrice A. Golomb, MD, PhD
- Author Affiliations: Departments of Family and Preventive Medicine (Dr Criqui) and Medicine (Drs Criqui and Golomb), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, Calif.
Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text.
In this issue of THE JOURNAL, Valmadrid and other investigators from the Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy (WESDR)1 report a progressive reduction in risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) death and overall mortality with increasing levels of alcohol consumption, within the mild to moderate range, in patients with older-onset diabetes. This finding complements and extends findings from numerous previous studies that have reported reduced CHD and all-cause mortality in light to moderate drinkers.2 Case-control, population, and twin studies have observed a relation of moderate alcohol consumption and reduced insulin resistance (with lower fasting and postprandial glucose and insulin levels).3-5 Other studies, meanwhile, have found that higher amounts of acute or long-term alcohol ingestion increase insulin resistance,6-7 as well as triglyceride levels, blood pressure, and all-cause mortality. The present study by Valmadrid et al was unable to evaluate risk with high levels …
