In:
Nicotine and Tobacco Research, Oxford University Press (OUP), ( 2023-09-24)
Abstract:
Cigarette smoke increases peripheral white blood cell (WBC) count. However, the dose-dependent association between smoking and C-reactive protein (CRP), an important inflammatory marker, has been reported inconsistent. Here, we evaluated the associations between smoking and CRP using both smoking questionnaires and urine cotinine as exposure markers. Methods The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data were used for analyzing the associations. Multiple regression analyses were performed to examine the associations between cigarette smoke exposure, as assessed by questionnaires and urine cotinine, and health effects, as measured by CRP and WBC count, controlling for potential confounders. The confounders, including age, sex, body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, alanine aminotransferase, and uric acid, were selected a priori based on the literature. Results A total of 11,435 participants were included for analysis. For the exposure-response relationship, the results indicated a significant increase in CRP levels in male smokers compared to male non-smokers (p=0.002), whereas no significant increase was found in female smokers compared to female non-smokers (p=0.680). For the dose-response relationship, a significant positive association was observed between urine cotinine and CRP in male smokers (p=0.018), whereas no significant association was found in female smokers (p=0.508). WBC count consistently showed significant exposure-response and dose-response relationships in both sexes. Conclusions WBC count was found to be a consistent effect marker of cigarette smoke exposure, while the association between CRP level and smoking was inconsistent and varied by sex. The sex-specific response to cigarette smoke exposure warrants further exploration in future studies. Implication Cigarette smoke exposure is known to increase inflammation and has been thought to increase C-reactive protein (CRP), a significant inflammation marker. However, recent studies have reported conflicting results regarding the dose-dependent association between cigarette smoke exposure and CRP. This study found that the association between smoking and CRP is inconsistent and varies by sex, showing significant exposure-response in men but not in women. Furthermore, the study suggests that white blood cell count is a more consistent marker for cigarette smoke exposure.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1469-994X
Language:
English
Publisher:
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2020202-7
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