Effects of Alcohol Consumption on Nephropathy, Retinopathy, and Neuropathy in Type 1 Diabetes in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT)

Effects of long-term alcohol consumption have not been well studied in populations with diabetes, though regular alcohol consumption is common among American adults and it is estimated that at least 10% of Americans have diabetes. Individuals living with diabetes who are heavy alcohol consumers may be at heightened risk for diabetic complications. Using the well-phenotyped Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) cohort of 1,246 adult subjects with type 1 diabetes, a secondary analysis was conducted to determine if relationships exist between alcohol consumption and nephropathy, retinopathy, and neuropathy at baseline, follow-up year 5, and DCCT closeout. This secondary analysis found that HbA1c did not vary between drinkers and non-drinkers throughout the DCCT, leading to non-significant odds of developing nephropathy, retinopathy, and neuropathy. Non-heavy alcohol drinking did not substantially impact development of renal, retinal, or neurological complications within the DCCT cohort