Independent association of various smoking characteristics with markers of systemic inflammation in men

Aims Aim of the study was to investigate the association between various markers of systemic inflammation and a detailed history of smoking in a large representative sample of the general population. Methods and results The effects of chronic smoking on white blood cell (WBC) count, fibrinogen, albu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European heart journal 2003-07, Vol.24 (14), p.1365-1372
Main Authors: Fröhlich, Margit, Sund, Malte, Löwel, Hannelore, Imhof, Armin, Hoffmeister, Albrecht, Koenig, Wolfgang
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
C-reactive protein
Fibrinogen
Inflammation
Plasma viscosity
Smoking
White blood cell count
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Summary:Aims Aim of the study was to investigate the association between various markers of systemic inflammation and a detailed history of smoking in a large representative sample of the general population. Methods and results The effects of chronic smoking on white blood cell (WBC) count, fibrinogen, albumin, plasma viscosity (PV), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in 2305 men and 2211 women, age 25–74 years, participating in the third MONICA Augsburg survey 1994/95. In men, current smokers showed statistically significantly higher values for WBC count, fibrinogen, PV, and CRP, compared to never smokers, with intermediate, but only slightly increased values for ex-smokers and for occasional smokers. No consistent associations were seen with albumin. Duration of smoking was positively associated with markers of inflammation as were pack-years of smoking. Conversely, duration of abstinence from smoking was inversely related to these markers. Except for WBC count, no such associations were found in women. Conclusion Data from this large representative population show strong associations between smoking and various markers of systemic inflammation in men. They also show that cessation of smoking is associated with a decreased inflammatory response, which may represent one mechanism responsible for the reduced cardiovascular risk in these subjects.
ISSN:0195-668X
1522-9645
DOI:10.1016/S0195-668X(03)00260-4