Passive smoking and plasma fibrinogen concentrations

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular epidemiology
• Environmental health
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Plasma fibrinogen is a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease.
• Understanding the impact of environmental exposures like passive smoking on cardiovascular risk factors is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between passive smoking and plasma fibrinogen concentrations in Japanese women.
• To quantify the effect of passive smoking on fibrinogen levels compared to active smoking.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 1,780 Japanese women aged 45-74 years.
• Plasma fibrinogen levels were measured and analyzed in relation to passive smoking exposure (outside home, home, or both).
• Statistical analyses controlled for age, body mass index, ethanol intake, serum total cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, and menopausal status.

Main Results:

• Passive smoking outside the home was associated with a 8.6 mg/dl increase in plasma fibrinogen.
• Exposure both inside and outside the home showed a larger increase of 11.2 mg/dl.
• The effect of passive smoking on fibrinogen was approximately 40-60% of that of active smoking and was significant in women aged 45-59 years.

Conclusions:

• Passive smoking, particularly when experienced both inside and outside the home, elevates plasma fibrinogen levels.
• This elevation in fibrinogen may contribute to an increased risk of coronary heart disease.
• The association between passive smoking and increased fibrinogen is more evident in younger postmenopausal women.