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Smoker's face: an underrated clinical sign?
British Medical Journal (Clinical Research Ed.)
|December 21, 1985
Summary
Facial features, termed "smoker's face," can identify current cigarette smokers with over 10 years of smoking history. This visual indicator was significantly associated with long-term smoking, aiding anti-smoking campaigns.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Public Health
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Facial changes associated with long-term cigarette smoking are observable.
- Identifying smokers is crucial for public health interventions and smoking cessation programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and diagnostic utility of specific facial features (
Main Methods:
- Prospective survey of patients in a general medical outpatient clinic.
- Identification of current smokers with ≥10 years of smoking history based on defined facial criteria ("smoker's face").
- Statistical analysis controlling for age, social class, sun exposure, weight change, and lifetime cigarette consumption.
Main Results:
- Approximately 50% of current smokers (≥10 years smoking) were identified by "smoker's face" criteria.
- "Smoker's face" was present in 8% of past smokers (≥10 years smoking) and 0% of non-smokers.
- The association between "smoker's face" and current long-term smoking was highly significant (p < 0.001) and independent of confounding factors.
Conclusions:
- "Smoker's face" is a significant and reliable indicator of current, long-term cigarette smoking.
- This visual cue can be a valuable tool in identifying individuals for smoking cessation interventions.
- Further research could explore the specific dermatological markers contributing to "smoker's face".