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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Nasir Mushtaq, MB, BS¹, David M. Thompson, PhD¹, Joyce Morris, PhD², Willis L. Owen, PhD¹, and Valerie J. Skaggs, PhD¹. (1) College of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 801 N.E 13th Street, CHB - 317, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, 405-474-5916, Nasir-Mushtaq@ouhsc.edu, (2) Oklahoma State Department of Health, Tobacco Use Prevention Service, 1000 NE 10th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73117-1299

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined the health issues associated with use of smokeless tobacco. Their results are inconsistent on possible increased risk of cardiovascular disease with smokeless tobacco. Purpose of this study is to assess whether use of smokeless tobacco increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and to identify higher risk groups.

METHODS: Data from Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) surveys from year 1999 to 2001 for the state of Oklahoma were analyzed. Data for smokeless tobacco and cardiovascular disease were available for 11,204 adults. Because sample sizes for three different years were not equal, weighted analysis was carried out to get uniform results.

RESULTS: Based on logistic regression models, controlling for age, sex, obesity, and smoking, odds of using smokeless tobacco was 1.143 (95%CI: 1.014, 1.287) times higher among those who had cardiovascular disease. This odds ratio was more than two folds in older age (35 or older) group (O.R. 2.64, 95% CI: 1.153, 6.024). Similarly odds of using smokeless tobacco among women who had cardiovascular disease were higher then men (O.R. 1.692 95%CI: 1.316, 2.179).

CONCLUSION: There is a modest risk of cardiovascular disease associated with smokeless tobacco.

Learning Objectives:

• Assess the effect of smokeless tobacco, which has been little studied, as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease
• Identify two risk groups, which have increased risk of having cardiovascular disease with the use of smokeless tobacco.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered