Passive smoking and the risk of coronary heart disease a meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies

Background The effect of passive smoking on the risk of coronary heart dise ase is controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis of the risk of coronary heart disease associated with passive smoking among nonsmokers. Methods We searched the Medline and Dissertation Abstracts Online data base s and reviewed citations in relevant articles to identify 18 epidemiologic (10 cohort and 8 case-control) studies that met pre-stated inclusion criter ia. Information on the designs of the studies, the characteristics of the s tudy subjects, exposure and outcome measures, control for potential confoun ding factors, and risk estimates was abstracted independently by three inve stigators using a standardized protocol. Results Overall, nonsmokers exposed to environmental smoke had a relative r isk of coronary heart disease of 1.25 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.17 to 1.32) as compared with nonsmokers not exposed to smoke. Passive smoking was consistently associated with an increased relative risk of coronary he art disease in cohort studies (relative risk, 1.21; 95 percent confidence i nterval, 1.14 to 1.30), in case-control studies (relative risk, 1.51; 95 pe rcent confidence interval, 1.26 to 1.81), in men (relative risk, 1.22; 95 p ercent confidence interval, 1.10 to 1.35), in women (relative risk, 1.24; 9 5 percent confidence interval, 1.15 to 1.34), and in those exposed to smoki ng at home (relative risk, 1.17; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.11 to 1. 24) or in the workplace (relative risk, 1.11; 95 percent confidence interva l, 1.00 to 1.23). A significant dose-response relation was identified, with respective relative risks of 1.23 and 1.31 for nonsmokers who were exposed to the smoke of 1 to 19 cigarettes per day and those who were exposed to t he smoke of 20 or more cigarettes per day, as compared with nonsmokers not exposed to smoke (P=0.006 for linear trend). Conclusions Passive smoking is associated with a small increase in the risk of coronary heart disease. Given the high prevalence of cigarette smoking, the public health consequences of passive smoking with regard to coronary heart disease may be important. (N Engl J Med 1999;340:920-6.) (C) 1999, Ma ssachusetts Medical Society.