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Importance of smoking for Chlamydia pneumoniae seropositivity
M Karvonen1, J Tuomilehto, J Pitkäniemi
1Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland.
Insights
Smoking is linked to Chlamydia pneumoniae seropositivity in the general population. However, men
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiovascular Health
Background:
- Limited population-based data exists on smoking and Chlamydia pneumoniae seropositivity.
- The influence of smoking on the C. pneumoniae seropositivity and coronary artery disease (CAD) link is debated.
- Previous studies suggest a potential association between C. pneumoniae seropositivity and CAD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between smoking habits and C. pneumoniae IgG antibody titers in a middle-aged population.
- To determine if gender differences in smoking explain higher C. pneumoniae antibody prevalence in men.
- To assess the independent association of smoking with C. pneumoniae seropositivity.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study design.
- Analysis of C. pneumoniae IgG antibody titers in a middle-aged cohort.
- Statistical adjustment for smoking status and other potential confounders.
Main Results:
- An association was found between smoking and C. pneumoniae seropositivity in the general population.
- In men, smoking was significantly associated with C. pneumoniae seropositivity (OR=1.4).
- Both smokers (OR=1.5) and ex-smokers (OR=1.7) showed increased risk for high C. pneumoniae seropositivity.
Conclusions:
- The study provides evidence for a link between smoking and C. pneumoniae seropositivity.
- Higher smoking prevalence in men does not account for the observed higher C. pneumoniae antibody prevalence in men.
- Smoking represents a significant risk factor for C. pneumoniae seropositivity, independent of gender differences in prevalence.
Background:
Population-based studies of the association between smoking and Chlamydia pneumoniae seropositivity do not exist. The role of smoking in the association between C. pneumoniae seropositivity and coronary artery disease (CAD) suggested by several studies has been debated. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between smoking habits and C. pneumoniae IgG antibody titres in a middle-aged population. We also wanted to find out whether the difference in smoking habits between the sexes explains the higher C. pneumoniae antibody prevalence among men compared with women.
Results:
After controlling for the effect of smoking, the risk of C. pneumoniae seropositivity remained 1.4 times higher in men than in women. In men, the estimated risk for C. pneumoniae seropositivity (titre > or = 1:16) was significant only for smokers (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.4). The adjusted OR for high seropositivity (titre > or = 1:128) was 1.5 for smokers and 1.7 for ex-smokers. The risk for women was similar to that for men.
Conclusions:
The results provide evidence of an association between smoking and C. pneumoniae seropositivity in the general population. The higher prevalence of smoking in men does not explain the C. pneumoniae antibody prevalence in men compared with women.