Risk analysis of chewing betel quid among diabetic patients from the northeastern part of Bangladesh

BackgroundBetel quid (BQ) chewing is a common habit and a means of social interaction among the northeastern peoples of Bangladesh. Though this habit integrating in their daily life without knowing its toxic effect. Areca nut, which is one of the main components of BQ and may responsible for this addiction. Here, we assess to see how BQ chewing habit influence hyperglycemia among diabetic patients with respect to their lifestyle. MethodologyRandom blood sugar (RBS) test was evaluated from a total of 961 diabetic patients. Behavioral data associated with their daily lifestyle were collected from August 2018 to February 2019 from Sylhet Diabetic Hospital, Bangladesh. Students t-test, ANOVA and Fishers exact test were used to assess the RBS status between BQ chewer and non-chewer patients. ResultsHigher RBS was found in BQ chewer patients than non-chewer (mean {+/-} SEM, 263.3 {+/-} 4.768 vs. 251.0 {+/-} 5.915mg/dl). Interestingly, it is significantly higher in raw areca nut user than dry nut (mean {+/-} SEM, 278.0 {+/-} 8.790 vs. 252.1 {+/-} 6.835 mg/dl) only from BQ chewer group, suggesting that the habit of chewing raw nut may contribute to more hyperglycemic effect among diabetic patients. BQ habit enhances higher RBS level among smoker, non-smoker and patients having walking habit. In addition, BQ habit significantly influence to have high RBS in patients with family history with diabetes. Lack of awareness being diabetes have also been observed significantly in BQ chewer patients, while a higher level of RBS was seen in BQ group, who work in different sectors with sitting activities. ConclusionsDiabetic patients who chew betel quid are more prone to keep higher hyperglycemic. Utmost attention should be taken to discourage the use of BQ for proper management of diabetes control.