A case-control study of smoking and Alzheimer's disease.
OBJECTIVE
To study the association between Alzheimer's disease and smoking history.


METHODS
An unmatched case-control study.


METHODS
Psychogeriatric unit serving an elderly population of Warrington.


METHODS
2 years 1991-1993.


METHODS
198 cases of Alzheimer's disease (ADRDA-NINCDS diagnostic criteria) were compared to two selected control groups (164 other dementias and 176 non-dementing group) with respect to their smoking history.


METHODS
Relative risk (odds ratio) of Alzheimer's disease.


RESULTS
The odds ratio for Alzheimer's disease in patients who smoked was 0.68 (95% CI 0.47-0.98). The negative association was statistically significant only in male patients, OR 0.45 95% CI (0.23-0.87), p < 0.05. The inverse association was also only significant in patients with family history of dementia, OR 0.34 95% CI (0.12-0.92), p < 0.05.


CONCLUSIONS
The study supports previous findings of an inverse relationship between smoking and Alzheimer's disease. This, however, does not suggest that smoking is used as a preventive measure for Alzheimer's disease.
Hillier
V
V
Winwick Hospital, Warrington, Cheshire, UK.
Salib
E
E
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology*