Mortality following inpatient addictions treatment: role of tobacco use in a community-based cohort

Article Abstract:

Tobacco use may be associated with the high death rate in people with alcohol or non-nicotine drug addiction. Researchers followed 845 people admitted to the Inpatient Addiction Program of the Mayo Clinic between 1972 and 1983. Seventy-eight percent had a diagnosis of alcoholism and 75% of the total group were smokers. A total of 222 people died during a follow-up ranging from 0.1 to 21.8 years. Fifty-one percent of the deaths were tobacco-related, a frequency twice that of the general population. Coronary artery disease accounted for 46% of all deaths and chronic obstructive lung disease accounted for 17.8% of all deaths. Sixteen people died from lung cancer. Thirty-four percent of the deaths were related to alcohol abuse. After 20 years, the cumulative mortality rate in the group was 48%, compared to the expected rate of 18.5%. These findings underscore the need to treat drug addicts for their nicotine habit.

Care and treatment, Smokers, Substance abuse, Drug addicts, Drug abusers, Alcoholics, Substance abuse treatment

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Prying Open the Door to the Tobacco Industry's Secrets About Nicotine

Article Abstract:

The state of Minnesota sued the tobacco industry in 1994 for damages resulting from smoking and the associated health expenses. Thirty-three million pages of secret industry documents were released in the trial, demonstrating that the industry knew the health effects of smoking, and worked to conceal them from the public. The industry designed devices to deliver nicotine without smoke. Low-tar, low-nicotine cigarettes are promoted as healthier, but smokers often smoke more of them to obtain sufficient nicotine. The industry should be fully accountable for injuries from their products, and tightly regulated to reduce the harmful effects of tobacco use.

Cases, Smoking, Tobacco industry, Philip Morris Inc., Minnesota, B.A.T. Industries PLC, Lorillard Tobacco Co.

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Improved Prognosis of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms: A Population-Based Study

Article Abstract:

Many women may be at risk of a ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm as the population ages. These aneurysms in the chest occur when the wall of the aorta weakens and begins to expand outward. A study of 133 people with thoracic aortic aneurysms found that the rate of thoracic aortic aneurysm was three times higher than in a similar group studied between 1950 and 1980. Half the aneurysms occurred in older women and 79% of the ruptures occurred in women. Large aneurysms were more likely to rupture than small ones.

Aged women, Elderly women, Aortic aneurysms, Aortic aneurysm

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