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Summary
Cigarette smoking significantly increases the risk of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) from ruptured cerebral aneurysms. Continued smoking elevates SAH risk by nearly fourfold in both men and women, highlighting a critical modifiable risk factor.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Cerebral aneurysms can lead to subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), a life-threatening condition.
- The etiology of aneurysmal SAH is multifactorial, with risk factors requiring further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between cigarette smoking and the incidence of ruptured cerebral aneurysms.
- To quantify the risk of SAH associated with smoking in a patient cohort.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 208 patients diagnosed with ruptured cerebral aneurysms.
- Comparison of smoking prevalence in the patient group against expected population incidence.
Main Results:
- A significantly higher proportion of smokers was observed among patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysms compared to the general population.
- Continued smoking was associated with a 3.9-fold increased risk of SAH in men and a 3.7-fold increased risk in women.
Conclusions:
- Cigarette smoking is a substantial risk factor for aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.
- While non-smoking-related factors contribute to SAH, smoking cessation is crucial for risk reduction.