Heavy smokers with diabetes are at increased risk of death

According to a study, presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) suggested that heavy smokers with diabetes are at increased risk of death. Diabetes is a chronic illness in which there are high levels of glucose in the blood. People with diabetes may also be at risk for numerous other health complications. 

Having diabetes can also put people at risk for numerous other health complications.

"The study found that diabetes doubles the risk for all-cause mortality and non-lung cancer mortality among heavy smokers," said Kavita Garg, Professor at the University of Colorado-Denver, in the US. 

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In the study, nearly 13 per cent of patients with diabetes died as compared to 6.8 per cent of patients without diabetes. 

Participants with diabetes tended to be older, reported more pack-years of smoking, and had a higher BMI than those without diabetes. 

In addition, the study also found that women with diabetes have an increased risk of lung-cancer mortality. 

However, the same effect was not found in men, the researchers observed.