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Nested case-control study on associations between lung function, smoking and mortality in Japanese population.
Lizhen Hu1, Michikazu Sekine, Alexandru Gaina
1Department of Welfare Promotion and Epidemiology, Graduate School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, 930-0194, Toyama, Japan, lzhu@medu-toyama.ac.jp.
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine
|March 25, 2011
Summary
Reduced lung function, specifically lower forced vital capacity (FVC %pred), and heavy smoking are significant long-term predictors of mortality in the Japanese population. These factors indicate increased mortality risk over time.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Pulmonology
- Public Health
Background:
- Longitudinal studies on lung function and mortality in Japan are scarce.
- Understanding predictors of mortality is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between lung function, smoking, allergy skin test results, and mortality in a Japanese cohort.
- To identify long-term predictors of mortality in the Japanese population.
Main Methods:
- A nested case-control study design was used with data from 1972-2002 in Fukui, Japan.
- Lung function (FVC %pred, FEV(1)/FVC), smoking intensity (Brinkman Index), and allergy skin tests were assessed.
- Cox proportional hazards models were employed for mortality risk analysis.
Main Results:
- Lower quartiles of FVC %pred were significantly associated with increased mortality (HRs 2.01-1.84).
- Heavy smoking (Brinkman Index ≥400) also predicted higher mortality (HR 1.73).
- Allergy skin test results showed weak associations with mortality.
Conclusions:
- Forced vital capacity percentage predicted (FVC %pred) and smoking intensity are independent long-term predictors of mortality.
- These findings highlight the importance of lung function and smoking status in assessing long-term health risks.
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