Scientists from the University of Minnesota have found that chewing tobacco and taking snuff can double the risk of developing peripheral artery disease. Research published American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an inflammatory disease that most commonly affects the arteries of the lower extremities. Lameness and ischemic ulcers may develop due to impaired blood flow to the legs. Smoking is known to increase the risk of developing PAH, but less research has focused on the effects of pure tobacco.
The scientists evaluated data from 14,000 participants in the ARIC atherosclerosis risk study. The mean age of the participants at baseline was 54.1 years.
The incidence of PAH was 4.4 cases per 1000 person-years among smokeless tobacco users and 3.4 cases per 1000 person-years among smokers. For comparison: the incidence of PAH among non-tobacco users was 1.3 cases per 1000 person-years.
After adjusting for sociodemographic and cardiovascular risk factors, smokeless tobacco use was associated with a twofold increased risk of PAH.
Non-combustible tobacco products (chewing tobacco and snuff) are generally considered “clean” and less harmful than cigarettes as they do not contain combustion products. A new study shows these have negative effects on vascular health.