Low‐moderate alcohol use effects on glycemic control of patients presenting
in the ED
Dublin Core
Title
Low‐moderate alcohol use effects on glycemic control of patients presenting
in the ED
in the ED
Subject
The prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Description
Abstract
Background The prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM2) is rising, affecting 462 million globally, including 21
million in the U.S. Emergency Department (ED) visits by adults with diabetes in the U.S. increased by 54% from 2012
to 2021 and represent a significant portion of global ED visits. Concurrently, 62% of U.S. adults report lifetime alco-
hol consumption. This study aimed to correlate AUDIT-C scores to changes in glucose and HbA1c levels in patients
with DM2. Previous research has produced mixed results on whether light-to-moderate alcohol use improves or wors-
ens glycemic control. Using a large urban ED dataset, this study seeks to better define this relationship and guide
interventions for alcohol use in patients with DM2.
Methods Data from Long Island Jewish ED (January 2022–October 2023) was analyzed. Patients were included
based on an HbA1c≥6.5 or a secondary discharge diagnosis of DM2. AUDIT-C scores were treated as a categorical
variable, as no dose-dependent relationship was observed. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.
Results Non-zero AUDIT-C scores were significantly associated with increases in POCT-Blood Glucose, estimated
average glucose, and HbA1c. A linear regression model showed an R-value of 0.047 (p<0.001) for POCT-Blood Glucose
in patients with HbA1c≥6.5. Patients with an AUDIT-C score≥1 had higher mean POCT-Blood Glucose (249.72 vs.
226.48, t=4.240, p<0.001). Estimated average glucose showed an R-value of 0.045 (p<0.001), with a mean difference
of 11.872 (t=4.155, p<0.001). For HbA1c, the R-value was 0.036 (p=0.004), with higher levels in patients with AUDIT-
C≥1 (8.265 vs. 7.904, t=2.844, p=0.005). The effects were more pronounced in African-American and Asian-American
populations.
Conclusion Alcohol use, even at moderate levels (AUDIT-C=1), was associated with higher glucose and HbA1c levels
in patients with DM2, particularly among African-American and Asian-American populations. These findings suggest
the need for substance use interventions at lower AUDIT-C thresholds and further considerations to mitigate future
risk in this population.
Background The prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM2) is rising, affecting 462 million globally, including 21
million in the U.S. Emergency Department (ED) visits by adults with diabetes in the U.S. increased by 54% from 2012
to 2021 and represent a significant portion of global ED visits. Concurrently, 62% of U.S. adults report lifetime alco-
hol consumption. This study aimed to correlate AUDIT-C scores to changes in glucose and HbA1c levels in patients
with DM2. Previous research has produced mixed results on whether light-to-moderate alcohol use improves or wors-
ens glycemic control. Using a large urban ED dataset, this study seeks to better define this relationship and guide
interventions for alcohol use in patients with DM2.
Methods Data from Long Island Jewish ED (January 2022–October 2023) was analyzed. Patients were included
based on an HbA1c≥6.5 or a secondary discharge diagnosis of DM2. AUDIT-C scores were treated as a categorical
variable, as no dose-dependent relationship was observed. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.
Results Non-zero AUDIT-C scores were significantly associated with increases in POCT-Blood Glucose, estimated
average glucose, and HbA1c. A linear regression model showed an R-value of 0.047 (p<0.001) for POCT-Blood Glucose
in patients with HbA1c≥6.5. Patients with an AUDIT-C score≥1 had higher mean POCT-Blood Glucose (249.72 vs.
226.48, t=4.240, p<0.001). Estimated average glucose showed an R-value of 0.045 (p<0.001), with a mean difference
of 11.872 (t=4.155, p<0.001). For HbA1c, the R-value was 0.036 (p=0.004), with higher levels in patients with AUDIT-
C≥1 (8.265 vs. 7.904, t=2.844, p=0.005). The effects were more pronounced in African-American and Asian-American
populations.
Conclusion Alcohol use, even at moderate levels (AUDIT-C=1), was associated with higher glucose and HbA1c levels
in patients with DM2, particularly among African-American and Asian-American populations. These findings suggest
the need for substance use interventions at lower AUDIT-C thresholds and further considerations to mitigate future
risk in this population.
Creator
Dominick DeMasi1*, Laura Harrison2
, Fredrick A. Davis2
, Adam Berman2
, Sandeep Kapoor2 and Nancy Kwon2
, Fredrick A. Davis2
, Adam Berman2
, Sandeep Kapoor2 and Nancy Kwon2
Source
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-00874-8
Date
2025
Contributor
Peri Irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Dominick DeMasi1*, Laura Harrison2
, Fredrick A. Davis2
, Adam Berman2
, Sandeep Kapoor2 and Nancy Kwon2, “Low‐moderate alcohol use effects on glycemic control of patients presenting
in the ED,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 25, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12744.
in the ED,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 25, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12744.