Association Between Smoking and Amnesia in Southwest Iran: A Population-Based Cross-sectional Study

Amnesia is a cognitive impairment that manifests as a deficit in the retrieval of previous memories and the acquisition of novel information. Limited research, especially in Iran, exists on the risk factors of amnesia, and smoking might be linked to a greater likelihood of experiencing memory issues and cognitive decline, including amnesia. The aim of this study was to explore the risk factors associated with amnesia and the connection between smoking and amnesia. Study Design: A population-based cross-sectional study.

This study was conducted at the baseline of the Hoveyzeh cohort study on adults aged 35-70 years in southwest Iran between 2016 and 2018. The required data on socioeconomic factors, demographic characteristics, history of stroke, history of epilepsy, and history of head trauma were collected from the participants. The relationship between smoking and amnesia was assessed, and multiple logistic regression was employed to account for potential confounding variables.

The mean age of the participants was 48.83±9.20 years, and 39% were male. The overall prevalence of amnesia was 4.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.8-4.6). The odds of having amnesia were significantly higher in smokers than in nonsmokers (adjusted odds ratio=1.52 [95% CI: 1.21-1.91]). Additionally, several other factors, including age, education level, type of residence, history of stroke, epilepsy, and history of trauma, were associated with amnesia.

Our investigations revealed a direct correlation between smoking and amnesia. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms of these associations, it will be imperative to conduct future longitudinal studies.