The American Journal of Medicine
Volume 116, Issue 3 , Pages 145-150, 1 February 2004

Effect of exposure to secondhand smoke on markers of inflammation: the ATTICA study☆

  • Demosthenes B Panagiotakos, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationRequests for reprints should be addressed to Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos, PhD, 46 Paleon Polemiston St. Glyfada, Attica, 166 74, Greece
    • First Cardiology Clinic, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
    • ,
  • Christos Pitsavos, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • First Cardiology Clinic, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
    • ,
  • Christina Chrysohoou, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • First Cardiology Clinic, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
    • ,
  • John Skoumas, MD

      Affiliations

    • First Cardiology Clinic, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
    • ,
  • Constadina Masoura, MD

      Affiliations

    • First Cardiology Clinic, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
    • ,
  • Pavlos Toutouzas, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • First Cardiology Clinic, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
    • ,
  • Christodoulos Stefanadis, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • First Cardiology Clinic, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece

Received 12 March 2003; received in revised form 24 July 2003; accepted 24 July 2003.

Abstract 

Purpose

We sought to investigate the effect of secondhand smoke exposure on inflammatory markers related to cardiovascular disease.

Methods

During 2001 to 2002, we randomly selected a stratified (age-sex) sample of adults without clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease. Exposure to secondhand smoke (>30 minutes per day and ≥1 day per week) was recorded. Multivariate regression analysis was used to evaluate the effects of exposure to secondhand smoke on levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, homocysteine, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and on white blood cell count.

Results

One hundred and thirty-seven (38%) of the 357 men who had never smoked and 211 (33%) of the 638 never-smoking women reported current exposure to secondhand smoke. Compared with those who were not exposed to secondhand smoke, those exposed more than 3 days per week had higher white blood cell counts (by 600 cells per μL; P = 0.02), as well as higher levels of C-reactive protein (by 0.08 mg/dL; P = 0.03), homocysteine (by 0.4 μmol/L; P = 0.002), fibrinogen (by 5.2 mg/dL; P = 0.4), and oxidized LDL cholesterol (by 3.3 mg/dL; P = 0.03), after adjusting for several potential confounders.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest another pathophysiological mechanism by which exposure to secondhand smoke is associated with the development of atherosclerosis.

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 30.00 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

☆ The ATTICA study was supported by research grants from the Hellenic Cardiological Society (HCS2002) and the Hellenic Atherosclerosis Society (HAS2003).

PII: S0002-9343(03)00656-9

doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2003.07.019

The American Journal of Medicine
Volume 116, Issue 3 , Pages 145-150, 1 February 2004

Article Tools