SMOKING
ASSOCIATION OF EARLY-STAGE PSORIASIS WITH SMOKING AND
MALE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION
The interaction between genetic and environmental factors
seems to play a role in the causes of psoriasis. Therefore,
a study was carried out to determine the association of
psoriasis with smoking habits and alcohol consumption. The
study group consisted of patients with a first diagnosis
of psoriasis made by a dermatologist and a history of skin
manifestations of no longer than 2 years after the reported
disease onset. It was found that the risk for psoriasis
was higher in ex-smokers and in current smokers than in
patients who had never smoked. The relation with smoking
was stronger and more consistent among women than men. Smoking
was strongly associated with pustular lesions with an adjusted
odds ratio of 10.5 for those smoking more than 15 cigarettes
per day. No significant overall association with alcohol
consumption was found after controlling for smoking habits.
However, the risk seemed to vary according to sex, with
a moderate association being found in men.
Naldi, L. et al
ARCH. DERMATOL. 1999, 135 (12) 1479-84
PASSIVE SMOKING, NOT JUST ACTIVE SMOKING, INCREASES RISK
OF ACUTE STROKE
Recent research from New Zealand has shown that exposure
to environmental tobacco smoke (passive smoking) significantly
increases the risk of acute stroke among non-smokers or
long-term ex-smokers. The study consisted of 521 patients
with a first ever stroke and 1,851 controls. After adjustment
for potential confounders, exposure to environmental tobacco
smoke among non-smokers and people who had not smoked for
more than 10 years was associated with a significantly increased
risk of stroke (odds ratio 1.82). The study also confirmed
the increased risk of stroke among active smokers compared
with non-smokers and ex-smokers (OR 4.14).
Bradbury, J.
LANCET 1999, 354 (9179) 653
BETA CAROTENE MAY PROTECT LUNGS FROM EFFECTS OF SMOKING
Dutch scientists studied 367 volunteers to investigate
whether the blood level of beta carotene influences lung
health. Results revealed that those with higher plasma levels
of beta carotene had fewer airway obstructions than those
with low levels. The difference was similar to the effects
of five years of heavy smoking.
It was concluded that a diet rich in beta carotene may
be particularly valuable for smokers or those who are exposed
to pollution.
EUR. J. CLIN. NUTRIT. 1999, 52, 813-817
ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE USE AND SMOKING ARE RISK FACTORS FOR
RELAPSE IN CROHN'S DISEASE
Since lifestyle factors have been shown to influence prognosis
in Crohn's disease, a study was undertaken to prospectively
assess the effects of smoking and oral contraceptive use
on clinical relapse rates. The influence of smoking and
the use of oral contraceptives on relapse risk was measured
using life-table analysis (log rank tests) and Cox proportional
hazards modelling. Out of 152 patients, 61 (40%) had a relapse.
Univariate analysis showed unfavourable outcomes for women,
current smokers, and use of oral contraceptives. The Cox
model retained current smoking vs. never smoking (hazard
ratio, 2.1), oral contraceptive use (hazard ratio, 3.0),
as predictors of relapse. Ex-smokers did not have an increased
risk and sex, age, time in remission, disease location,
and disease duration were not significant predictors.
Timmer, A. et al
GASTROENTEROL. 1998, 114 (6) 1143-50
CIGARETTE SMOKING AND HEARING LOSS
A population-based, cross-sectional study was carried out
to evaluate the association between smoking and hearing
loss. Hearing loss was defined as a pure-tone average (0.5,
1, 2, and 4 kHz) greater than 25-dB hearing level in the
worse ear. After adjusting for other factors, current smokers
were 1.69 times as likely to have a hearing loss as non-smokers.
This relationship remained for those without a history of
occupational noise exposure and in analyses excluding those
with non-age-related hearing loss. There was weak evidence
of a dose-response effect. Non-smoking participants who
lived with a smoker were more likely to have a hearing loss
than those who were not exposed to a household member who
smoked (odds ratio, 1.94).
Cruickshanks, K.J. et al
J.A.M.A. 1998, 279(21) 1715-19
AFTER-EFFECTS OF GIVING UP SMOKING
A sore throat, respiratory ailments and excessive flatulence
are recurrent symptoms of recovery after stopping smoking.
Nicotine on its own, however, is not responsible for health
problems. It is the poisonous gas carbon monoxide which
combines with haemoglobin in red blood cells, reducing the
blood's capacity to carry oxygen by as much as 15%.
NEW SCIENTIST, 11th April 1998, p93
