Epidemiology and Health

Original Article

Association between smoking status and subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in asymptomatic Korean individuals: Hyeji Lee, Jinhee Ha, Kyung Sun Park, Young-Jee Jeon, Sangwoo Park, Soe Hee Ann, Yong-Giun Kim, Yongjik Lee, Woon Jung Kwon, Seong Hoon Choi, Seungbong Han, Gyung-Min Park; Epidemiol Health. 2024;46:e2024064. Published online July 16, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2024064

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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material: Abstract
OBJECTIVES
In this study, we sought to evaluate the association between smoking status and subclinical coronary atherosclerosis, as detected by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), in asymptomatic individuals.
METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed 9,285 asymptomatic participants (mean age, 53.7±8.0 years; n=6,017, 64.8% male) with no history of coronary artery disease (CAD) who had undergone self-referred CCTA. Of these participants, 4,333 (46.7%) were considered never smokers, 2,885 (31.1%) former smokers, and 2,067 (22.3%) current smokers. We assessed the degree and characteristics of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis using CCTA, with obstructive CAD defined as a diameter stenosis of at least 50%.
RESULTS
Compared with never-smokers, former smokers exhibited no significant differences in the probabilities of obstructive CAD, any coronary plaque, calcified plaque, or mixed plaque, as determined using adjusted odds ratios (aORs; p>0.05 for all). However, the risk of non-calcified plaque was significantly higher in former smokers (aOR, 1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00 to 1.78; p=0.048). Current smokers had significantly higher rates of obstructive CAD (aOR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.96; p=0.010), any coronary plaque (aOR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.20 to 1.65; p<0.001), calcified plaque (aOR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.55; p=0.001), non-calcified plaque (aOR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.28 to 2.32; p<0.001), and mixed plaque (aOR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.39 to 2.86; p<0.001) compared to never smokers.
CONCLUSIONS
This cross-sectional study revealed a significant association between current smoking and subclinical coronary atherosclerosis, as detected on CCTA. Additionally, former smoking demonstrated an association with non-calcified plaque, indicating elevated cardiovascular risk.; Summary

Korean summary
- 현재흡연은 무증상 관상동맥 죽상경화증의 독립적인 예측 인자이다. - 과거흡연은 초기 죽상경화증과 취약성을 반영하는 비석회화 플라크와 관련이 있다. - 무증상 관상동맥 죽상경화증을 예방하기 위해 적절한 금연 전략이 필요하다.

Key Message
- Current smoking is an independent predictor of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis. - Former smoking is associated with non-calcified plaque reflecting the early atherosclerosis and vulnerability. - Appropriate strategies for smoking cessation are needed to prevent subclinical coronary atherosclerosis.

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