The oral microbiome as mediators in the association between smoking and all-cause mortality.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Smoking increases mortality risk and alters the oral microbiome, but its mediating role in the smoking-survival relationship remains unclear. This study examined whether oral microbiome diversity mediates the association between smoking and all-cause mortality.

Methods

We included 8,223 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey with linked mortality data through 2019. Oral microbiome diversity was assessed using alpha and beta diversity metrics. Associations between smoking, diversity, and mortality were assessed using Weibull Accelerated Failure Time models. Multivariable linear regression evaluated the relationship between smoking and oral microbiome diversity. Mediation analysis estimated the Natural Direct Effect (NDE) and Natural

SUBMITTER: Xu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12679853 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature