Relationship of alcohol use and facial flushing to blood pressure and HbA1c among Cambodian populations with dysglycemia in the U.S. and in Cambodia. Issue 1 (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Feinn, Richard; Bermudez-Millan, Angela; Berthold, S. Megan; Buckley, Thomas; Emmanuel, Judah; Fraser-King, Loraine; Horn, Ien Srey; Keuky, Lim; Kong, Sengly; Kuoch, Theanvy; O'Donnell, Sara; Read, Jennifer P.; Scully, Mary; Wagner, Julie
• Is Part Of: Diabetes & metabolic syndrome. Volume 16:Issue 1(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: Facial flushing -- Alcohol -- Blood pressure -- HbA1c -- Type 2 diabetes -- Cambodia; Diabetes -- Periodicals; Metabolism -- Disorders -- Periodicals; Diabetes Mellitus -- Periodicals; Metabolic Diseases -- Periodicals; Diabète -- Périodiques; Métabolisme, Troubles du -- Périodiques; Endocrinologie -- Périodiques; Diabète -- Physiopathologie -- Périodiques; Diabetes; Metabolism -- Disorders; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.462
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2021.102374
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1871-4021

Abstract

Abstract: Background and aims: Facial flushing after drinking alcohol, common among Asians, is a phenotype for genes involved in alcohol metabolism. Methods: We investigated cross-sectional associations between flushing, alcohol use, blood pressure (BP) and HbA1c among (n = 287) Cambodians with dysglycemia in Cambodia and in the U.S. Participants were categorized as Abstainers, Flushers who drink, or Non-flushers who drink. Results: Flushers and Non-flushers had similar alcohol use. Flushers had higher BP than Non-flushers and Abstainers, even after controlling for confounders. Findings were similar across countries. Drinkers had higher HbA1c than Abstainers. Conclusions: Future research should examine whether reducing alcohol improves cardiometabolic outcomes. Highlights: Despite its unpleasant symptoms, flushing did not result in lower alcohol use among Cambodians Flushing was associated with higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure Drinking alcohol was associated with higher HbA1c Findings were similar for Cambodians whether they live in the U.S. or in Cambodia.