Smokeless Tobacco Use Linked to Increase in Peripheral Artery Disease

MONDAY, March 27, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Smokeless tobacco use is associated with an increased incidence of peripheral artery disease, similar to that seen with cigarette smoking, according to a study recently published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Jeremy R. Van't Hof, M.D., from the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis, and colleagues examined whether use of smokeless tobacco is associated with the risk for developing peripheral artery disease. From 1987 to 1995, smokeless tobacco use was assessed three times; peripheral artery disease events were examined from 1987 to 2018. Data were included for 14,344 participants.

The researchers identified 635 incident peripheral artery disease events during a median follow-up of 27.6 years. The incidence rate of peripheral artery disease was 4.44 versus 1.74 per 1,000 person-years for those who used smokeless tobacco versus those who did not. After adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics and cigarette smoking, the hazard ratio for current versus never smokeless tobacco use was 1.94. Among those currently using smokeless tobacco, the incidence rate for peripheral artery disease was similar to that of current cigarette smokers (3.39 per 1,000 person-years).

"While smokeless tobacco products may not expose people to the noxious effects of combustion, our study shows that they nonetheless have an adverse impact on vascular health," Van't Hof said in a statement. It is important for clinicians to understand these health implications, screen patients for all forms of tobacco and nicotine use, and counsel accordingly."

One author disclosed financial ties to Fukuda Denshi.

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