Secondhand Smoke Linked to Cognitive Impairment

Recent exposure to secondhand smoke is associated with increased risk for cognitive impairment, according to a cross-sectional study in BMJ.

20 feb 2009--Some 4800 community-dwelling, nonsmoking adults (mean age, 65) provided saliva samples for cotinine measurement (a biomarker for recent secondhand smoke exposure) and underwent a series of neuropsychological tests. After adjustment for smoking history and other potential confounders, participants with the highest cotinine levels were significantly more likely to show cognitive impairment than those with the lowest levels (odds ratio, 1.44).

The authors and an editorialist acknowledge the study's limitations (for example, cotinine levels do not reflect long-term exposure), but nonetheless point out the potential public health implications of the research.

LINK(S):

BMJ article (Free)

BMJ editorial (Subscription required)