While the link between smoking and respiratory illness is well-documented, a groundbreaking domestic study has revealed that frequent smokers face a similarly elevated risk for spinal disc disorders. Through a massive big data analysis, researchers have confirmed that regardless of the delivery method—traditional tobacco or electronic—smoking significantly compromises musculoskeletal health.
Professor Kwon Ji-won from the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Gangnam Severance Hospital announced on the 10th that the study’s findings were recently published in the official journal of the North American Spine Society.
Analyzing 3.2 Million Screenings
To understand the correlation between smoking habits and spinal health, the research team analyzed data from over 3.265 million adults aged 20 and older. These participants underwent national health screenings provided by the National Health Insurance Corporation in early 2019.
The subjects were categorized into four groups: non-smokers, traditional cigarette smokers, cigarette-type e-cigarette (heat-not-burn) smokers, and liquid e-cigarette (vape) smokers. After a 3.5-year follow-up period, the results were definitive: every form of smoking increased the risk of spinal disc disease compared to non-smokers.
The Risk Across Smoking Varieties
The study broke down the increased risk of disc disease by smoking type as follows:
Traditional Cigarettes: 17.4% higher risk than non-smokers.
Liquid E-Cigarettes: 15.3% higher risk.
Cigarette-Type E-Cigarettes: 13.2% higher risk.
Dual Users (Liquid and Cigarette-Type): Risk levels similar to traditional cigarette smokers.
Notably, switching from traditional cigarettes to e-cigarettes offered little protection. Those who transitioned to heat-not-burn products saw a minor 11% reduction in risk compared to their previous habits, yet they remained 9% more likely to develop disc issues than non-smokers. Most alarmingly, daily use of liquid e-cigarettes was found to increase the risk of disc disease by up to 43% compared to non-smokers.
A Threat to the Entire Spine
The research team observed that this trend was consistent across the entire spine, affecting both cervical (neck) discs and thoracic/lumbar (lower back) discs. The data showed a direct correlation: the greater the frequency of use and the longer the smoking history, the higher the risk of disease.
"The notion that e-cigarettes are a 'less harmful alternative' to traditional cigarettes needs to be reevaluated," stated Professor Kwon Ji-won. He emphasized that the findings highlight a critical need for further research into how the chemical components of e-cigarettes specifically impact the musculoskeletal system.
