title: Use of smokeless tobacco: blood pressure elevation and other health hazards found in a large-scale population survey.
abstract: Health hazards associated with the use of smokeless tobacco were evaluated in a cross-sectional study of 97,586 Swedish construction workers undergoing health examinations in 1971-74. All users of smokeless tobacco only (5014 subjects) and all exclusive smokers of > or = 15 cigarettes daily (8823 subjects) were compared with all non-users of any tobacco (23,885). Both smokeless tobacco users and smokers showed higher prevalences of circulatory and respiratory disorders. Hypertension was most common in smokeless tobacco users. In the 45- to 56-years age group, the odds ratio for a diastolic blood pressure of > 90 mmHg was 1.8 (95% CI, 1.5-2.1), and for a systolic blood pressure > 160 mmHg, 1.7 (95% CI, 1.3-2.1). Smokers showed the lowest prevalence of hypertension. Disability pensions due to cardiovascular disease were nearly 50% more frequent in both smokeless tobacco users and smokers. These findings indicate that an increased cardiovascular risk is also associated with the use of smokeless tobacco.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Bolinder
authors.forename: B O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Ahlborg
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lindell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006304:Health Status; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010415:Pensions; D010947:Plants, Toxic; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014030:Tobacco, Smokeless / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D009538:Nicotine