Smokers Are More Likely To Have Severe Cases of COVID-19
It has long been established that smoking and tobacco use are linked with a higher risk of heart disease, cancer, and other health issues. Adding on to that list, a newly published study from the United Kingdom (UK) provides evidence that smoking also affects coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection. Researchers found that smokers are 60–80% more likely to show severe symptoms of COVID-19. At the start of the pandemic, a separate “early view” study published in the European Respiratory Journal incorrectly linked smoking to protection against the virus. However, that study was retracted because its authors had financial relationships with the tobacco industry, thereby undermining the credibility of the study. As such, this new research, published in the journal Thorax, provides clarity on how smoking is not only unable to protect against COVID-19, but also worsens the effects of the disease.
Previous studies have sought to find a relationship between smoking and COVID-19, but many were limited by the fact that they only used observational data, which can be difficult to interpret without other types of data to supplement it. Observational research involves the collection of information and data from a population without the researchers trying to influence the outcomes. Due to lack of control over external factors, observational studies are only able to establish trends and correlations rather than causation, a relationship between two variables in which one causes another.
Previous studies have sought to find a relationship between smoking and COVID-19, but many were limited by the fact that they only used observational data, which can be difficult to interpret without other types of data to supplement it. Observational research involves the collection of information and data from a population without the researchers trying to influence the outcomes. Due to lack of control over external factors, observational studies are only able to establish trends and correlations rather than causation, a relationship between two variables in which one causes another.
Smoking increases the risks of infection, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.
Image Source: lilartsy
In light of these flaws with observational research, a recent study conducted in the UK by Dr. Ashley Clift and her colleagues used not only observational data, but also genetic data to contradict the previous claim that smoking protects against COVID-19. Using a sample of over 420,000 subjects, they gathered data on the subjects’ smoking status from primary care records and the UK Biobank questionnaire, along with the subjects’ COVID-19 outcomes from previous testing data, hospital admissions data, and death certificates. From these sources of observational data, they found that smokers who contracted COVID-19 were around 80% more likely to be admitted to a hospital or to die than nonsmokers.
To gather more evidence, using a technique called Mendelian randomisation, the researchers analyzed genetic variants in the subjects that contribute to whether a person is more or less likely to smoke heavily. Even though it is not well understood why these genetic variants increase the chance of someone smoking heavily, researching these variants helps avoid many of the limitations of observational studies. As a result, researchers are better able to find a biological relationship between smoking and COVID-19 infection and severity. From this method of research, analysis of the data showed a relationship between genetic predisposition to smoking and higher risks of COVID-19 infection and hospitalization. Specifically, the researchers found that people who are genetically predisposed to smoking are twice as likely to develop COVID-19 infections, five times as likely to be hospitalized, and ten times as likely to die from the disease.
Although the reasons why smoking may worsen COVID-19 symptoms are still not completely understood, the relationship between smoking and more severe cases of infection is apparent. Habitual smoking was shown to lower the chance of recovery and amplify symptoms after being infected with COVID-19. Thus, smoking is especially detrimental to one’s health in the face of the ongoing pandemic.
To gather more evidence, using a technique called Mendelian randomisation, the researchers analyzed genetic variants in the subjects that contribute to whether a person is more or less likely to smoke heavily. Even though it is not well understood why these genetic variants increase the chance of someone smoking heavily, researching these variants helps avoid many of the limitations of observational studies. As a result, researchers are better able to find a biological relationship between smoking and COVID-19 infection and severity. From this method of research, analysis of the data showed a relationship between genetic predisposition to smoking and higher risks of COVID-19 infection and hospitalization. Specifically, the researchers found that people who are genetically predisposed to smoking are twice as likely to develop COVID-19 infections, five times as likely to be hospitalized, and ten times as likely to die from the disease.
Although the reasons why smoking may worsen COVID-19 symptoms are still not completely understood, the relationship between smoking and more severe cases of infection is apparent. Habitual smoking was shown to lower the chance of recovery and amplify symptoms after being infected with COVID-19. Thus, smoking is especially detrimental to one’s health in the face of the ongoing pandemic.
Featured Image Source: Lê Tit
RELATED ARTICLES
|
Vertical Divider
|
Vertical Divider
|
Vertical Divider
|
