Passive smoking and stroke in men and women: a national population-based case-control study in China

Sci Rep. 2017 Mar 31:7:45542. doi: 10.1038/srep45542.

Abstract

An association between passive smoking and stroke is unclear in China, particularly the association with hemorrhagic stroke. This study included 16205 deaths due to stroke aged ≥30 years and 16205 non-stroke controls randomly selected and frequency-matched to cases on gender and age. Smoking of spouses, defined as ≥1 cigarette per day for up to 1 year, was taken as a measure of exposure to passive smoking of subjects that was retrospectively ascertained by interviewing surviving spouses. After adjustment for variables, passive smoking increased the risk of death by 10% (odds ratio (OR), 1.10; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.05-1.16) for all strokes, by 10% (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.04-1.16) for hemorrhagic stroke, and by 12% (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.03-1.23) for ischemic stroke, compared with non-exposure. This finding was highly consistent in men or women and in smokers or non-smokers, and was generally consistent among zones of China despite geographic diversity. The risk significantly increased with exposure-years and quantity of cigarettes smoked daily by spouses. This study indicated that passive smoking is associated with deaths from all-type strokes. It is highly advisable for the government to promote strong tobacco prevention and cessation programs and smoke-free environments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • China
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Smoking / adverse effects*
  • Spouses
  • Stroke / etiology*
  • Tobacco Products
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution