Smoking has long been known to be linked to many health problems, including lung cancer, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but recent research has given it another name: cognitive decline. I’m here.
Data from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) study show that current smokers have the highest prevalence of subjective cognitive decline (SCD), approximately 1.9 times higher than never smokers (adjusted prevalence ratio ). [aPR]1.87, 95% confidence interval [CI]1.54–2.28). [J Alzheimers Dis 2022;doi 10.3233/JAD-220501]
In contrast, the prevalence of SCD among recent ex-smokers (those who quit <10 years ago) and remote ex-smokers (those who quit >10 years ago) was 1.47 (95% CI, 1.02–2.12). and 1.11 (95%). Percentage CI, 0.93–1.33) is greater than never smokers.
“The associations we saw were most pronounced for 45-59 year olds.[-year] Our findings suggest that quitting smoking in this age group may have cognitive health benefits,” said senior study author Jeffrey Wing, assistant professor of epidemiology at Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA. added the Dr.
Wing goes on to say that there were no significant differences in cognition between smokers and nonsmokers in the oldest group in the study, suggesting that quitting earlier may have greater benefits. There is
The BRFSS survey included a total of 136,018 respondents aged 45 to 80 years or older who met the survey’s eligibility criteria. More than half of these respondents were nonsmokers (55.0%), women (53.6%), and non-Hispanic whites (74.2%).
SCD was confirmed in 10.8% of respondents. More than half of this group reported hypertension (61.0%) and just over a quarter of her reported diabetes (28.9%).
The association between smoking and SCD did not differ by sex at birth (interaction p=0.73).
Smoking cessation and its impact on cognition
SCD refers to cognitive decline resulting from a self-reported increase in the frequency of memory loss or confusion. This condition may present as an early sign of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, and other related dementias. [Neurology 2013;80:1778-1783; https://www.cdc.gov/aging/healthybrain/roadmap.htm]
Wing et al. believe that assessing SCD as an intermediate marker of cognitive decline will help examine the potential impact of interventions at an early age on future risks of objective cognitive function. [Alzheimers Dement 2021;7:e12142]
“In our study, a dose-response relationship between levels of smoking status and SCD suggests that time from smoking cessation may be related to cognitive outcomes. Our findings raise the question of whether midlife smoking cessation interventions may have a measurable impact on future cognitive status,” they noted.
“Future longitudinal studies are needed to address this question, as temporality cannot be assessed using measures of cross-sectional nature such as SCD. To inform further research and interventions that can reduce the future population-level burden of disability, we highlight the role that population-based measures, such as SCD, play in the early detection of cognitive decline.
Jenna Rajczyk, lead author of the paper and an epidemiology doctoral student at Ohio State University, said some of the evidence from the current study points to another reason to quit smoking. Not only does it benefit respiratory and cardiovascular health, but it also maintains neurological health.
