Is it exposure to cigarette smoke or to smokers which increases the risk of meningococcal disease in teenagers?
Background Passive smoking appears to increase the risk of meningococcal disease (MD) in adolescents. Whether this effect is attributable to exposure to cigarette smoke or contact with smokers is unknown. Methods We conducted a prospective population-based case control study with age, sex matched-controls in 1:1 matching. Participants were 15 19 year old with MD recruited at hospital admission in six regions (65% of the population of England) from January 1999 through June 2000, and their matched controls. Data on potential risk factors were gathered by confidential interview, including seven passive smoking variables. Factor analysis was performed to assess the dimensionality of the passive smoking exposure variables. The data were analysed with univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression. Results 144 case control pairs were recruited (51% male; median age 17.6). Factor analysis identified two independent factors representing passive smoking (P < 0.01), one associated
Related Questions
- Is it exposure to cigarette smoke or to smokers which increases the risk of meningococcal disease in teenagers?
- What biosecurity measures can I take at sale barns, shows, and exhibitions to lower the risk of disease exposure?
- Is the risk of adult coeliac disease causally related to cigarette exposure?
