Smoking, blood glucose control, and locus of control beliefs in people with Type 1 diabetes mellitus

The relations between blood glucose control (HbA(1c)), smoking, and health- related diabetes locus of control beliefs were studied in a consecutive adu lt sample of 187 patients with Type 1 diabetes who were free of diabetes co mplications. Those who were smokers (n = 32) had poorer HbA(1c) values than non-smokers [7.5 +/- 1.4 (S.D.) vs 6.8 +/- 1.2%, P = 0.017]. When the pati ents were compared according to HbA(1c) quartiles, 17 of the smokers (53%) were found among those with worst blued glucose control. The smokers showed a lesser belief than the non-smokers in powerful others such as physicians and diabetes nurses in regards as diabetes control and the course of the d isease [23.5 +/- 4.4 (S.D.) vs 25.8 +/- 5.5 (S.D.), P = 0.05]. The group as a whole exhibited strong beliefs that their own behaviour was important fo r diabetes control. This belief appears incongruent with smoking behaviour, The results have implications for possible coping and defence strategies u sed by the smokers. Due to their worse blood glucose control, weaker belief s in health care professionals, and possible denial-like coping strategies, smokers clearly need special attention ill diabetes care, particularly in the view of their risk of developing long-term complications. (C) 2000 Else vier Science ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.