Dose-related effect of smoking on mortality in critically ill patients: A multicentre cohort study

Abstract

Purpose: It is uncertain whether smoking has an independent dose-related adverse effect on mortality in critically ill patients. This study assessed whether the intensity of smoking history, measured in pack-years, has a dose-related effect on mortality in critically ill patients. Methods: In this multicentre cohort study data were collected from six tertiary intensive care units (ICU) in Australia and New Zealand. Results: Of the 8,962 patients considered in the study, data on patients' smoking status and smoking history were available from 5,063 and 2,865 patients, respectively. Male gender, and chronic respiratory, liver and cardiovascular diseases were over-represented among smokers comp..