Fibrinogen and cigarette smoking in men and women in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer in Norfolk (EPIC-Norfolk) population.
BACKGROUND
Plasma fibrinogen may be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Cigarette smoking is a well-recognized determinant of plasma fibrinogen however it remains unclear how fibrinogen levels relate to the degree and duration of smoking, or to time since smoking cessation.


METHODS
In a population-based study of 11 059 men and women aged 45-74 years, we examined the cross-sectional relationship between plasma fibrinogen and cigarette smoking habit.


RESULTS
Mean fibrinogen concentrations were higher in current smokers compared to non-current smokers (men: 3.13+/-0.77 versus 2.80+/-0.71 g/l, P<0.0001; women: 3.03+/-0.72 versus 2.95+/-0.71 g/l, P=0.01), independent of age, body mass index and hormone replacement therapy in women In men, fibrinogen concentrations declined with years since stopping smoking but remained higher than in life-long non-smokers for 15 years. No relationship between fibrinogen and duration of smoking cessation was observed in women. On multivariate analysis, age, body mass index, use of hormone-replacement therapy, smoking status and pack-years of smoking were independent predictors of plasma fibrinogen.


CONCLUSIONS
Plasma fibrinogen is strongly associated with cigarette smoking with a dose-response relationship with total pack-years of smoking. In men who stop smoking plasma fibrinogen may remain elevated for several years after cessation.
Sinha
Shubhada
S
Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Luben
Robert N
RN
Welch
Ailsa
A
Bingham
Sheila
S
Wareham
Nicholas J
NJ
Day
Nicholas E
NE
Khaw
Kay-Tee
KT
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D016019:Survival Analysis
D005340:Fibrinogen