title: Effect of Exposure to Second-Hand Smoke on the Quality of Life: A Nationwide Population-Based Study from South Korea.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) has been associated with various medical conditions, only limited data are available on its association with health-related quality of life (HRQOL), particularly data obtained with the EQ-5D or EQ visual analogue scale (VAS).
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study evaluated 10,532 adult never-smokers who participated in the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. By using linear regression models to adjust for possible confounders and incorporating survey weights in analyses, the association between exposure to SHS and HRQOL-measured with the EQ-5D index and the EQ-VAS score-was evaluated. Data were further stratified by the amount of exposure time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After weighted analysis and adjustment, exposure to SHS was significantly associated with lower measures on the EQ-5D index (β = -0.007, P = 0.005) and EQ-VAS score (β = -1.936, P < 0.001). When comparing the unexposed group with the groups exposed <2h/day and ≥2h/day, exposure to a longer duration of SHS was significantly associated with lower scores on the EQ-5D index and the EQ-VAS score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, exposure to SHS was associated with reduced HRQOL measured by the EQ-5D index and EQ-VAS score, revealing a dose-response relationship.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yeon Wook
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chang-Hoon
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young Sik
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yu-Il
authors.initials: YI
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chul Min
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ju-Ock
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Joo Hun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Haak
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Yeol
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Mi
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Chun
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Chilgok Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Tae Hoon
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kwang Ha
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Yoo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009749:Nutrition Surveys / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D056910:Republic of Korea; D013997:Time Factors; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution