New research calls attention to potential increased risks of anemia, chronic kidney disease and other diseases or disease risk factors associated with smokeless tobacco use.
An analysis of more than 850 adults in Bangladesh showed that smokeless tobacco use was associated with significantly increased odds of anemia, hypertension and chronic kidney disease.
“Our study provides preliminary evidence of an association between (smokeless tobacco) consumption and several risk factors for (chronic kidney disease), including older age, illiteracy, shorter sleep duration, and poor nutrition,” the researchers wrote. , hypertension and anemia.”1 “Although further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and confirm these findings, our study provides a valuable resource for policymakers seeking to improve public health in rural and peri-urban areas of developing countries.”
Few public health efforts are as successful as the fight against tobacco use. However, despite significant declines in tobacco use, the perception that smokeless tobacco products are less harmful encourages their continued use in contemporary settings. According to recent reports, the use of smokeless tobacco products is increasing in many parts of the world and is the dominant form of tobacco use in some regions. Education-based cessation efforts are hampered by an overall lack of understanding of the effects of smokeless tobacco products on patient health.2
The researchers noted that the Bangladeshi cohort provides a unique opportunity to study the effects of smokeless tobacco use due to high rates of use in the general population. The researchers used random sampling and data from the Mirzapur Population Surveillance System in Bangladesh to identify 872 adult patients for the study. Of these, 252 were smokeless tobacco users and 620 were not smokeless tobacco users.1
All participants in the study completed semi-structured questionnaires, physical examinations, anthropometric measurements, and blood and urine tests.1
The researchers’ univariate analysis showed statistically significant associations between multiple factors and smokeless tobacco use, including age 46 years or older (odds ratio (OR), 7.10; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.79 -10.94), women (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.21–2.22). Other factors such as being a widow (OR, 3.40; 95% CI, 2.24–5.17), lack of formal education (OR, 4.91; 95% CI; 3.59–6.72), and sleeping less than 7 hours per day (OR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.70-3.19) were all associated with an increased risk of smokeless tobacco use.1
Further analysis showed that smokeless tobacco users were more likely to suffer from malnutrition (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.15–2.33), hypertension (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.13–2.05), and anemia (OR, 1.94; 95). The risk increases significantly. % CI, 1.39–2.71) and chronic kidney disease (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.15–2.27).1
“A comprehensive analysis of the relationship between renal inhalation and (smokeless tobacco) use has not been performed,” the researchers wrote.1 “Nonetheless, our analysis shows that (smokeless tobacco) users have greater odds of developing CKD. Some experimental studies have proposed a link between kidney disease and consumption. “Further research in this area is necessary. “
refer to:
- Sarker MHR, Moriyama M, Sujon H, et al. Smokeless tobacco consumption in rural and peri-urban Bangladesh and its association with chronic kidney disease risk factors. Tobes sensory disorder. 2023;21:138. Published on October 20, 2023. doi:10.18332/tid/171358
- Hajat C, Stein E, Ramstrom L, Shantikumar S, Polosa R. Health effects of smokeless tobacco products: a systematic review. Harm reductionJ. 2021;18(1):123. Published December 4, 2021. doi:10.1186/s12954-021-00557-6