Impact of betel quid on hyperglycemia among diabetes patients in Bangladesh

Betel quid (BQ), a prevalent social habit in Asia, is often used without awareness of its harmful effects. This study explored the impact of BQ chewing on hyperglycemia among diabetic patients in northeastern Bangladesh. Specifically, this study focused on the role of areca nut, a key addictive component in BQ, in influencing hyperglycemia. Random blood glucose (RBG) tests were conducted on 961 diabetic patients, alongside lifestyle data, from August 2018 to February 2019 at Sylhet Diabetic Hospital, Bangladesh. Statistical analyses, including t-tests, Analysis of the variance (ANOVA), Fisher's exact test, and Multivariate regression, were employed to assess RBG status in BQ chewer vs. non-chewer. BQ chewers had higher RBG levels than non-chewers (263.3 ± 4.768 vs. 251.0 ± 5.915). Notably, raw areca nut users in the BQ group had significantly higher RBG levels than dry nut users (278.0 ± 8.790 vs. 252.1 ± 6.835 mg/dl), with up to 50 times more hyperglycemic effect. BQ chewing was associated with elevated RBG levels across different demographic and lifestyle groups. Lack of awareness was also prevalent among BQ chewers while individuals with desk jobs showed higher RBG levels. In conclusion, diabetic BQ chewers experience elevated hyperglycemia levels, highlighting the. urgent need to discourage BQ use for effective diabetes management.