Archive | 2021
A Descriptive Review of Epidemiology of COVID–19 in Smokers
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 caused by SARS Cov 2, gains entry to bronchial epithelial cells by binding of the viral spike protein to angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptors. We conducted a non - systematic review of databases with (English articles only), PubMed, Google Scholar using keywords like “COVID-19,” “SARS-CoV-2,” “novel coronavirus,” smoking,” “smokers,” “nicotine.” A total of 33 articles were reviewed. Smokers were 1.4 times more likely to have severe COVID-19 (RR=1.4 95% CI: 0.98-2.00), and 2.4 times more likely to require an ICU admission (RR= 2.4 CI: 1.43-4.04) when compared to non-smokers (n=926). Current smokers were less likely to experience an adverse outcome (OR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.24–0.74), compared to former smokers.\xa0 22% of current smokers and 46% of former smokers had more severe complications. Current smokers had a case fatality rate of 38.5% (n=1790) and higher odds of mortality (OR= 1.25) especially males >65 years (OR=2.51). Public education about smoking cessation should be implemented along with standard guidelines to prevent disease progression.