Relation between secondhand smoke exposure and cardiovascular risk factors in never smokers

Mortality trend analysis of ischemic heart disease in China between 2010 and 2019: a joinpoint analysis

BACKGROUND

This study presented the mortality trend of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in Chinese residents from 2010 to 2019 and provided a basis for further establishment of relevant interventions.

METHODS

Data, such as sex, age, urban and rural areas, and death status, were extracted from the China Death Surveillance Dataset from 2010 to 2019, with mortality and age-adjusted death rates (AADRs) as the main indicators. The joinpoint regression model was used to analyze mortality and AADRs trends in IHD. A semi-structured expert interview was conducted to propose targeted intervention measures and countermeasures.

RESULTS

We observed an overall upward trend in IHD mortality rates and AADRs in China from 2010 to 2019 (average annual percentage change [AAPC] = 5.14%, AAPC_AADRs = 1.60%, P < 0.001). Mortality rates and AADRs increased for both males (AAPC = 4.91%, AAPC_AADRs = 1.09%, P < 0.05) and females (AAPC = 5.57%, AAPC_AADRs = 1.84%, P < 0.001), with higher mortality rate for males than females but higher variation for females than males. Urban (AAPC = 4.80%, AAPC_AADRs = 1.76%, P < 0.05) and rural (AAPC = 5.31%, P < 0.001; AAPC_AADRs = 0.99%, P > 0.05) mortality rates increased, with the mortality rate higher in rural areas than in urban areas. In the age analysis, mortality rate was higher in middle-aged and older adults than in other age groups. The age-sex cross-analysis found the highest trend in mortality rates among females aged ≥ 75 years (annual percentage change [APC] = 2.43%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The upward trend in IHD mortality in China from 2010 to 2019, especially among female residents aged ≥ 75 years, poses continuing challenges to public health policies and actions.

Secondhand Smoke Exposure in Lao People's Democratic Republic: Results From the 2015 National Adult Tobacco Survey

Objectives: Second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure causes >600,000 deaths annually worldwide, however, information regarding SHS exposure in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PRD) is limited; we report SHS exposure prevalence at home, inside workplaces, and indoor public spaces in Lao PDR. Methods: Data were from the 2015 Lao National Adult Tobacco Survey, a nationally representative sample of 7,562 participants aged ≥15 years recruited through a stratified 2-stage cluster sampling approach. Results: 88.3% (83.9% of non-smokers) reported SHS exposure at home and 63.0% (54.0% of non-smokers) at workplaces. Among non-smokers, women had greater exposure at home than men (86.6 vs. 77.0%). Lower education levels were associated with exposure at home or the workplace. 99.2% reported SHS exposure at any public place; specifically for restaurants/food stores 57.7%, government offices 56.2%, public transport 31.6%, and health care facilities 11.7%. Conclusion: SHS exposure at home and workplace in Lao PDR is among the highest in South-East Asia. Comprehensive smoke-free policies at government-owned workplaces and facilities, stricter enforcement of these smoke-free policies, and strategies to encourage smoke-free environments at homes and in public places are urgently needed.

Update on smoking. Alternatives for the management of patients with cardiovascular risk

Smoking is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is clearly involved as a cardiovascular risk factor. Smoking has different effects on the cardiovascular system, such as a decrease in nitric oxide, increased inflammatory response, increased adhesion of pro-atherogenic molecules, lipid disturbances, generation of oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction as can be shown in different biomarkers modifications. Despite the aids currently available for smoking cessation, many smokers are unwilling or unable to achieve this. So alternative tools with potential harm reduction, such as non-combustion tobacco products, could be an option due to the better results they had shown on cardiovascular risk factors. This has led these devices to be taken into account as a risk-modifying tobacco product according to the FDA.

Secondhand Smoking and Depressive Symptoms Among In-School Adolescents

INTRODUCTION

Smoking has been linked with depressive symptoms in adolescents, but data on secondhand smoking and depressive symptoms in low- and middle-income countries are scarce. Thus, this study analyzes the association between secondhand smoking and depressive symptoms among in-school adolescents from 22 low- and middle-income countries.

METHODS

Data from the 2003-2008 Global School-Based Student Health Survey were analyzed in June 2019. Data on past-week exposure to secondhand smoke and past-year depressive symptoms were collected. The association between secondhand smoke and depressive symptoms was studied using multivariable logistic regressions and meta-analyses.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 37,505 adolescents aged 12-15 years who never smoked. The prevalence of depressive symptoms increased from 23.0% in adolescents with no secondhand smoking to 28.9% in those with secondhand smoking every day in the past week. After adjusting for sex, age, food insecurity, and country, there was a dose-response relationship between secondhand smoking and depressive symptoms in the overall sample (0 days: reference; 1-2 days: OR=1.06, 95% CI=0.95, 1.18; 3-6 days: OR=1.38, 95% CI=1.20, 1.58; 7 days: OR=1.63, 95% CI=1.44, 1.86). The country-wise analysis showed that secondhand smoking on at least 3 days (versus <3 days) in the past week was associated with a 1.48-fold increase in the odds of depressive symptoms (95% CI=1.39, 1.59), with a low level of between-country heterogeneity (I²=4.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a positive association between secondhand smoking and depressive symptoms among in-school adolescents from low- and middle-income countries. Further research should investigate causality and assess whether prevention of exposure to secondhand smoke can have a positive effect on the mental well-being of adolescents.

Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control of Hypertension in Korea

The purpose of the present study was to describe the temporal trends in prevalence and management status of hypertension in Korea between 1998 and 2015. Data of adults who were aged 30 years or older were extracted from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationwide representative population-based survey. Hypertension was prevalent in 30.5% of Korean adults. The age and sex standardized prevalence showed little change between 1998 and 2015. The elderly population and men showed higher prevalence. The rates of awareness, treatment, and control showed substantial improvements among hypertensive subjects between 1998 and the time period of 2007‒2009 (awareness, from 23.5 to 66.3%; treatment, from 20.4 to 60.3%; and control, from 4.9 to 42.1%), after which the numbers reached a plateau and no significant changes were observed subsequently (67.3%, 63.6%, and 46.2%, respectively, between 2013 and 2015). The management status remained poor especially among the young population and in men. In conclusion, the hypertension prevalence remained stable at approximately 30% in Korea between 1998 and 2015. While awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension improved remarkably, the young population and particularly men showed a suboptimal management status.

Age Differences in the Relationship between Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis

Secondhand smoke (SHS), a common environmental exposure factor, has become a serious public health problem. Metabolic syndrome is another worldwide clinical challenge. Our study tried to determine the age differences in the relationship between SHS and the risk of metabolic syndrome. Studies were searched in PubMed and Web of Science from 11 November to 30 November 2018. Eighteen studies were finally included based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The relationship between SHS and the risk indicators of metabolic syndrome was analyzed. The weighted mean difference (WMD) of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC), and the standard mean difference (SMD) of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low- and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C, HDL-C) were calculated in a meta-analysis. SHS was positively associated with the level of insulin and WC. According to the subgroup analysis based on age difference, SHS was positively associated with FPG in the upper age group, and positively associated with LDL-C and negatively associated with HDL-C in the lower age group. BMI showed a more obvious positive correlation in the adults group than in the children and the teenagers group. In conclusion, the association of metabolic syndrome with SHS varies with age. When exposed to SHS, older people may be more susceptible to glucose metabolic disorder, but younger people may be more susceptible to lipid metabolic disorder.