Research

Smokers at increased risk for pancreatitis
The results of a large population-based cohort study in Denmark indicate that smoking contributes to nearly half of all cases of pancreatitis. The study’s 18,035 participants received a physical examination and were surveyed on their lifestyle habits for an average follow-up period of 20.2 years. Other risk factors for pancreatitis include alcohol use and gallstone disease. Controlling for the effects of these other risk factors, smokers were 2.6 times more likely than nonsmokers to develop pancreatitis. The data revealed a dose-response relationship between smoking and pancreatitis risk. Click here to find out more. Click here to view the abstract of the research, which was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Maternal smoking in pregnancy and externalizing behavior in 18-month-old children: Results from a population-based prospective study
A new study by Norwegian researchers found that children of mothers who smoke during pregnancy are 32% more likely to exhibit behavioral problems at 18 months old. No differences were found between male and female children. No behavioral effects were observed among children whose mothers smoked fewer than ten cigarettes per day. The study’s findings suggest a population risk of 17.5% of behavioral problems that could be avoided if all pregnant women either quit smoking or reduced their smoking to less than ten cigarettes per day. Click here to read an abstract of the study in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.

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