Smokers and Virus

[Daniel Marsh]

"We identified five studies that reported data on the smoking status of patients infected with COVID-19. Notably, in the largest study that assessed severity, there were higher percentages of current and former smokers among patients that needed ICU support, mechanical ventilation or who had died, and a higher percentage of smokers among the severe cases12. However, from their published data we can calculate that the smokers were 1.4 times more likely (RR=1.4, 95% CI: 0.98–2.00) to have severe symptoms of COVID-19 and approximately 2.4 times more likely to be admitted to an ICU, need mechanical ventilation or die compared to non-smokers (RR=2.4, 95% CI: 1.43–4.04)." COVID-19 and smoking: A systematic review of the evidence

ME: the weakness in these studies are low samples compared to the numbers of cases today where all the information is not in as of yet.

"
The increased risk for COVID-19 pneumonia in people who smoke cigarettes or have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be at least partly explained by increased levels of an enzyme that enables the virus to more easily enter their lungs, according to a research letter published today in the European Respiratory Journal.

In the same journal, a study has identified advanced age, underlying cardiovascular or cerebrovascular illnesses, low levels of CD3+CD8+ T cells (indicating damaged immune response), and high levels of cardiac troponin (indicating heart damage) as predictors of death in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia." https://www.christianforums.com/forums/the-junk-drawer.1284/create-thread

Me: the sample sizes are smaller than those above.

We're including results for smokers from coronavirus only.
Do you want to see results for smokers from all sites?
Best Remedy for COVID-19 Is Prevention | | Blogs | CDC
Best Remedy for COVID-19 Is Prevention | | Blogs | CDC
CDC - Blogs - The Topic Is Cancer – Best Remedy for COVID-19 Is Prevention - Perspectives on a variety of cancer-related topics, hosted by CDC
[PDF]
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/data-dictionary.pdf
, Unknown Integer Current smoker smoke_curr_yn 1, Yes 0, No 9, Unknown Integer Former smoker smoke_former_yn 1, Yes 0, No 9, Unknown Integer Substance abuse or misuse substance_yn 1, Yes 0, No 9, …
[PDF]
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/pui-form.pdf
No Unk Autoimmune condition Yes No Unk Severe obesity (BMI ≥40) Yes No Unk Current smoker Yes No Unk Cardiovascular disease Yes No Unk Former smoker Yes No Unk Chronic Renal disease Yes No Unk Su…

"Now, preliminary research suggests that lungs exposed to cigarette smoke accumulate abnormally large numbers of ACE2 receptors, which may leave the organ vulnerable to damage inflicted by the coronavirus.
...
For instance, a study of more than 1,000 patients in China, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that smokers with COVID-19 were more likely to require intensive medical interventions than those who didn't smoke. In the study, 12.3% of current smokers were admitted to an ICU, were placed on a ventilator or died, as compared with only 4.7% of nonsmokers. "
Why COVID-19 hits smokers harder | Live Science

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(20)30117-X/fulltext

"Based on preliminary U.S. data, persons with underlying health conditions such as diabetes mellitus, chronic lung disease, and cardiovascular disease, appear to be at higher risk for severe COVID-19–associated disease than persons without these conditions."
Preliminary Estimates of the Prevalence of Selected Underlying...

above link has best summary of factors of those in ICU and on machines to breathe.

Researchers investigate impact of smoking on COVID-19 risk

Q&A: Tobacco and COVID-19

Doctor's Note: Why are smokers more vulnerable to coronavirus?

 

[Mountainmanbob]

Makes sense. I know a lot of smokers and ex smokers with very weak lungs. Add a little CV and bye, bye.
M