Heavy snus use: Possible link to Type 2 diabetes
Analyzing data from six groups of Swedish men, researchers found no risk of type 2 diabetes in all snus users combined, but they reported a modest elevated risk with higher levels of consumption, at five to six cans per week (Relative risk, RR = 1.42, 95 percent confidence interval, CI = 1.07 – 1.87) or seven or more cans per week (RR = 1.68, CI = 1.17 – 2.41).
In a Karolinska Institute press release, lead research author Sofia Carlsson said:
We can confirm earlier suspicions that snus-users have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
In fact, the new study confirmed only one “earlier suspicion,” as Carlsson’s is only the second study to show an association at higher consumption levels. Here are the results from the four studies that have been published to date:
Studies of Snus Use and Type 2 Diabetes in Sweden | |
---|---|
Author, Year, Snus Users | Relative Risk (95% CI) |
Eliasson et al., 2004 | |
Current snus users (prevalent diabetes) | 1.06 (0.43 – 2.64) |
Current snus users (follow-up diabetes) | No cases |
Ӧstenson et al., 2012 | |
Current snus users | 1.1 (0.6 – 2.0) |
1-5 cans per week | 0.6 (0.2 – 1.4) |
6+ cans per week | 3.3 (1.4 – 8.1) |
Rasouli et al., 2017 | |
A. Current snus users | 0.96 (0.67 – 1.37) |
A. Ever snus users | |
Less than 5 boxes per week | 0.78 (0.56 – 1.09) |
5+ boxes per week | 0.95 (0.57 – 1.58) |
B. Ever snus users | 0.91 (0.75 – 1.10) |
Less than 3 boxes per week | 0.88 (0.72 – 1.08) |
3 + boxes per week | 0.92 (0.46 – 1.83) |
Carlsson et al., 2017 | |
Current snus users | 1.15 (1.00 – 1.32) |
1-2 boxes per week | 1.14 (0.86 – 1.50) |
3-4 boxes per week | 1.03 (0.82 – 1.29) |
5-6 boxes per week | 1.42 (1.07 – 1.87) |
7+ boxes per week | 1.68 (1.17 – 2.41) |
While those two studies suggest that high snus consumption is associated with type 2 diabetes, more research is needed to confirm a link. Many other factors are known to contribute to this type of diabetes, including age, overweight or obesity, inactive lifestyle, smoking, family history, high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol levels. Research and analysis must fully account for these factors in order to confirm or refute a snus link.
Image by Green Apple