COVID-19 and smoking: Worse outcome from a surveillance analysis

Abstract

Background: Few studies have shown that smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to contract COVID-19, while some reports indicate that smokers are underrepresented among that requiring hospital treatment for this illness. This study was designed and implemented for investigating the severity and outcome of COVID-19 based on underlying smoking status.

Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional study which implemented in Tehran and Ahvaz with all COVID-19 hospitalization patients from February to June 2021. 18200 patients with positive PCR test were observed. A check list of demographic data and smoking history was completed and analyzed.

Results: 11112 patients were male (61.1%) and the mean age was 47.9±11.3. 1508 smokers (8.3%) were seen with any type of tobacco consumption. The frequency of ICU admission in the smokers is significantly higher than nonsmokers (23.9% vs. 18.8%). Using of more than 3 medications in the smokers were significantly higher (70.6% vs. 52%). A comparison between patients based on smoking indicates that the death rate was significantly higher in smokers (31.6% vs. 25.6%).

Conclusions: This study with large sample indicate that although the number of smokers in COVID-19 patients is significantly lower than general population and can lead to the misconception that smoking is a protective factor in this disease, but these people had more severe and worse consequences. Smokers with COVID-19 had more severe and worse consequences.