Second-hand smoke can significantly increase the risk of severe dementia, according to a study among 6 people in China. people. Information on this subject is provided in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
Previous studies show that passive smoking has a very negative impact on health. It may increase the risk of cancer, serious cardiovascular disease such as coronary heart disease, and respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), among others.
Recent work by an international team of scientists from China, the United States and the United Kingdom has shown that severe dementia (aka dementia), or severe mental impairment, can also be added to the list of health problems caused by passive inhalation of tobacco smoke.
The team led by Dr. Ruolinga Chen from the Royal Collegium in London (and Anhui Medical University in China) conducted a study among almost 6 residents of five Chinese provinces (Anhui, Guangdong, Heilongjiang, Shanghai and Shanxi) who were 60 years of age or older. Severe dementia was found in 10% of respondents – both never smokers and smokers now or in the past.
They found that secondhand smoke was strongly associated with the risk of severe dementia. People exposed to passive inhalation of tobacco smoke were exposed to it by 29%. more than those who did not inhale tobacco smoke. The risk increased with the level and duration of exposure.
Thanks to additional analysis, the researchers ruled out that people with dementia were more likely to experience secondhand smoke, which could bias the results.
Secondhand smoke should be considered a significant risk factor for severe dementia, according to the latest research in China. Avoiding secondhand smoke can lower the risk of severe cognitive impairment, comments Dr. Chen.
The latest work is in line with the results of earlier research by Dr. Chen, which were published in December 2011 in Alzheimer’s and Dementia. They were carried out in a group of over 2,6 thousand. Never smokers 60 years of age or older. The analysis showed that passive smoking by 78 percent. increases the risk of all types of dementia. For Alzheimer’s disease, the most serious type of dementia, the risk was increased by 128%.
According to scientists, secondhand smoke should be recognized as a risk factor for severe dementia.
Researchers emphasize that banning smoking in public places could help reduce the percentage of these disorders in the world.
The increased risk of severe dementia in people exposed to secondhand smoke is similar to that of coronary artery disease. This suggests that some preventive action should be taken quickly – not only in China but in many other countries, says Dr. Chen.
This is all the more important as dementia is becoming an increasingly serious public health problem as the population ages, and its cost is rising tremendously.
Dr. Chen reminds that currently approx. 90 percent. of the world’s population lives in countries where there is a shortage of smoke-free public spaces.
China, with 350 million smokers, is the country where the largest amount of tobacco products is consumed – 30 percent. world production. Since 2006, the Chinese government has been actively working to introduce smoke-free public places such as hospitals, schools, and public transport. However, compliance with the law in this area is still not satisfactory. A 2010 study showed that approx. 52 percent. non-smokers in China are exposed to the inhalation of tobacco smoke on a daily basis. It is also home to the largest number of people with dementia in the world. (PAP)
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