Longitudinal effects of smoking cessation on carotid artery atherosclerosis in contemporary smokers: The Wisconsin Smokers Health Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

We quantified the effects of smoking and smoking cessation on carotid artery atherosclerosis and wall thickness in two unique cohorts of smokers making a quit attempt.

Methods

Our primary analysis included 726 smokers making a quit attempt in a randomized clinical trial with long-term follow-up. Our secondary analysis included 889 smokers making a quit attempt in a subsequent trial. Participants underwent carotid artery ultrasonography at baseline and up to 3 subsequent visits. Primary outcomes were changes in carotid plaque score and intima media-thickness (IMT). We calculated a smoking burden score (SBS) that reflected the number of visits in which participants reported smoking after the quit attempt. Multivariable regression examined relations between

SUBMITTER: Stein JH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7736540 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature