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| Women Benefit More from Quitting Smoking than Men |
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New findings from the Lung Health Study (LHS) indicate
that, in general, women's lung function improves
significantly more than men's after sustained smoking
cessation. LHS researchers previously published results
showing that both men and women benefit from smoking
cessation; this new analysis indicates that the benefits to
the lungs are greater in women than in men. The results are
published in the June 1 issue of the "American Journal of
Epidemiology"
Supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the study
followed more than 5,300 middle-aged smokers for five years. All participants
had mild or moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In the first
year after quitting, women's lung function improved more than twice that of
the men's. Among those who quit, improved lung function remained greater for
women than for men throughout the study, although the differences between the
genders narrowed over time. The decline in lung function in those who continued
to smoke was on average similar for men and women.
Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of COPD, a slowly
progressive disease of the lung that is characterized by a
gradual loss of lung function. COPD is the fourth most
common and the most rapidly increasing cause of death in
the United States. Emphysema, chronic bronchitis, chronic
obstructive bronchitis, or a combination of emphysema and
chronic bronchitis are forms of COPD.
Dr. Gail Weinmann, a lung specialist with the NHLBI, is
available to comment on the study and on the health
benefits of smoking cessation. To arrange an interview with
Dr. Weinmann, please call the NHLBI Communications Office
at (301) 496-4236.
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