A new study suggests that current and ex-smokers with ALS may not survive as long as those who have never smoked. Researchers also noted that smokers were usually younger than the other two groups when their ALS was diagnosed. Learn more about the link between smoking and ALS. For the full article, visit http://healthbridge.parrishmed.com/smoking-tied-shorter-survival-als and for more information on neurology, check out http://www.parrishmed.com/programs-services/parrish-medical-center/other-programs/neurology-neurosurgery/default.aspx.

1. Smoking Tied to Shorter Survival
With ALS
September 22, 2016

2. WEDNESDAY, Sept. 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) --
Smoking may speed progression of Lou Gehrig's
disease and shorten the lives of those with the fatal
illness, new research suggests.
Also known as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis),
the disease damages nerve cells in the brain and
spinal cord. These cells control many vital muscle
functions, including speaking, swallowing and
breathing.

3. Though no cure for ALS has been found, scientists
have identified several risk factors, including genes,
gender, age and underlying health issues. For this
study, researchers explored the link between tobacco
and development of ALS.
They collected data on the smoking habits of 650
people diagnosed with ALS between 2007 and 2011
in northern Italy. They also looked at chronic lung
disease (COPD) among these patients.

4. Nearly 19 percent of the ALS patients were regular
smokers when they were diagnosed. Researchers
noted that 28 percent were ex-smokers and about 53
percent had never smoked.
Forty-four of the ALS patients had COPD; half were
former smokers. On average, patients with COPD
had shorter lives than those without. But smoking
appeared to shorten patients' lives whether or not
they had COPD when their ALS was diagnosed.

5. On average, smokers with ALS lived 21 months after
diagnosis, compared to 27 months for ex-smokers.
Those who never smoked lived the longest after
diagnosis, 31 months, on average.
Researchers also said smokers were usually younger
than others when their ALS was diagnosed.
The study was published online Sept. 21 in The
Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry.

6. The authors cautioned that no firm conclusions about
cause and effect can be drawn from their
observational study.
Dr. Adriano Chio, medical and scientific director of
the department of neuroscience at the University of
Turin in Italy, led the study.
September 22, 2016
SOURCE: BMJ, news release, Sept. 21, 2016.
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