THE RELATIONSHIP OF ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SMOKING TO CAROTID ATHEROSCLEROSIS 12-14 YEARS LATER

Background. Active and passive smoking have been found to be associate d with clinical atherosclerotic disease. To explore the effects of smo king on atherogenesis, we investigated the relationship of past and cu rrent active and passive smoking to carotid atherosclerosis in middle- aged adults. Methods. The study population consisted of 2,073 middle-a ged residents of Washington County, Maryland. Information on active sm oking and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) was obtained f rom a 1975 census and from the baseline visit of the Atherosclerosis R isk in Communities (ARIC) Study in 1987-1989. Carotid artery intimal-m edial wall thickness, measured by B-mode ultrasound methods in 1987-19 89, was used as an indicator of carotid atherosclerosis. Mean intimal- medial wall thickness (IMT) was adjusted for age, gender, cardiovascul ar risk factors, and education using multiple linear regression. Resul ts. The lowest mean IMT was found among never smokers who had never be en exposed to ETS (mean +/- standard error: 0.706 +/- 0.013 mm). Expos ure to ETS in one or both time periods was associated with increased I MT among never smokers (ETS in 1975 only: 0.731 +/- 0.022; ETS in 1987 -1989 only: 0.738 +/- 0.011; ETS in both periods: 0.734 +/- 0.012). Ac tive smoking in 1975 was also associated with increased IMT. The great est mean intimal-medial wall thickness was found among persons who wer e current smokers in both time periods (0.807 +/- 0.009). Conclusions. Both past and current passive and active smoking are associated with increased carotid intimal-medial wall thickness. (C) 1995 Academic Pre ss, Inc.