Childhood cigarette smoking is associated with health-related quality of life in older US adults

TL;DR

Smoking as a child is linked to lower quality of life in older adults, even after accounting for current smoking and health factors.

Contribution

This study is the first to show that childhood smoking is independently associated with reduced global health in older adults.

Findings

Childhood smoking is linked to lower global physical and mental health scores in older adults.

The association remains significant for physical health even after adjusting for smoking-related diseases.

Current smoking and secondhand smoke exposure also negatively impact global health.

Abstract

Childhood smoking onset is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), independent of current smoking and smoking history. Its association with lower quality of life has not been tested. We examined the association between childhood smoking and measures of global health among older US adults.

This study involved a cross-sectional survey of US adults ≥40 years (n=7056) from Wave 5 (2019) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study. Ever smokers were asked when they began smoking regularly. Weighted multivariable analysis assessed onset of regular smoking at age of <15 years as a risk factor for lower Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global Physical and Mental Health (GPH and GMH) scores, adjusting for current smoking, smoking intensity, cigarette pack-years, secondhand smoke exposure, and other covariates. Sensitivity analysis added smoking-related disease comorbidities (e.g. COPD).

Sociodemographics were reflective of the US population aged ≥40 years, with 6.8% reporting childhood smoking and 16.9% current smoking. Mean (SD) for GPH and GMH were 14.8 (3.1) and 14.5 (3.8), respectively. In the multivariable analysis, compared to onset smoking at an older childhood age, GPH and GMH were significantly lower for those with early onset of smoking (-4.27%; 95% CI: -6.52 – -1.97 and -3.34%; 95% CI: -6.08 – -0.52; respectively). Global health was also negatively associated with current smoking, higher pack-years, and secondhand smoke exposure. The association between childhood smoking and GPH (but not GMH) remained significant after further adjustment for disease mediators.

Childhood smoking was independently associated with lower quality of life among adults aged ≥40 years. Adverse effects of smoking on development during adolescence may have implications that extend beyond associations with chronic disease.

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