Mortality and morbidity of potentially misclassified smokers

International Journal of Epidemiology
P SuadicaniF Gyntelberg

Abstract

Misclassification of smokers as non-smokers may bias estimates of the excess morbidity and mortality associated with smoking. The issue has been given little, if any, attention in prospective epidemiological studies. This study examined characteristics of potentially misclassified smokers with respect to mortality, morbidity, and risk factors. A prospective study (within The Copenhagen Male Study, Denmark) used serum cotinine as an objective marker of use of tobacco. A serum concentration of 100 ng/ml was regarded as a relevant threshold for active smoking. In all, 3270 males aged 53-74 years who reported their previous and current tobacco habits, including the use of chew tobacco and snuff, were included. Incidence of all causes of mortality (ACM) during 9 years and death due to ischaemic heart disease (IHD) during 8 years of follow-up were the main outcome measures. Overall cumulative incidence rates of ACM and IHD were 19.1% and 4.3%, respectively. Of 1405 men who reported being non-tobacco users, i.e. no current smoking and no use of chewing tobacco or snuff, 1377 had levels < 100 ng/ml, 28 men (2%) had levels equal to or above this threshold value and were considered potentially misclassified smokers. They had significantl...Continue Reading

Citations

Oct 27, 2005·Maternal and Child Health Journal·Kersti PärnaIlona Koupil
Jan 5, 2000·BMJ : British Medical Journal·M ShawD Dorling
Jul 5, 2008·The Lancet Oncology·Paolo BoffettaKurt Straif
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Dec 30, 1998·Scandinavian Journal of Social Medicine·M OslerP Schnohr

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