Researchers Discover MORE Evidence That Smokers May Be Protected Against Deadly Coronavirus



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The researchers have uncovered more evidence that smokers may be protected against the deadly coronavirus.

Less than five percent of the 441 COVID-19 patients who needed to be admitted to an Italian hospital were smokers.

Scientists described it as a “very low” number, given that a quarter of the general population is known to be hooked on cigarettes.

It suggests that smokers are less likely to contract the disease, a theory that emerged in the last few weeks from several global studies.

But once smokers are in the hospital, they are more likely to see their disease progress rapidly and lead to death, according to some evidence.

The new study found that half of the infected smokers died, compared to 35 percent of the rest of the patients.

Experts are struggling to remove the growing evidence suggesting an apparent protective effect of cigarettes, which has been described as “strange.”

Two weeks ago, a literature review by University College London also found a ‘lower-than-expected’ smoking rate among COVID-19 patients.

Of the 28 studies analyzed, one from the UK revealed that only five percent of patients were smokers, a third of the national rate of 14.4 percent.

But health officials in the United Kingdom and the United States urge people to quit smoking to protect themselves from the virus as a precaution.

Researchers have uncovered more evidence that smokers may be protected from the deadly coronavirus. Less than five percent of the 441 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in an Italian study were smokers, compared to 24 percent in the population

Researchers have uncovered more evidence that smokers may be protected from the deadly coronavirus. Less than five percent of the 441 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in an Italian study were smokers, compared to 24 percent in the population

More smokers succumbed to the disease, almost half compared to 35 percent of those who had never touched a cigarette.

More smokers succumbed to the disease, almost half compared to 35 percent of those who had never touched a cigarette.

The Italian study led by Dr. Nicola Gaibazzi examined patients admitted to a hospital in Parma, northern Italy.

It means that the findings can only be applied to those with symptoms severe enough to seek medical attention: Thousands of patients escape any symptoms.

Information on smoking was taken from medical records and efforts were made to directly contact patients or their families for confirmation.

Previous research on the subject has been riddled with holes because researchers admit that data was missing.

But in this study, a total of 423 of 441 patients or their families were spoken to by phone, strengthening the data.

Overall, only 21 patients (4.8 percent) were active smokers, which is disproportionate compared to 24 percent of the population, according to the team.

Ten percent (44 people) had smoked previously, but clear data is missing to indicate how many Italians have completely quit.

Of the Italian cohort, which had an average age of 71 years, about 35 percent died. Men and patients with heart disease were at higher risk.

Non-smokers made up 85 percent of victims, smokers 6 percent, and ex-smokers 9 percent, which was not significantly different from the total cohort.

However, active smokers had a 50/50 chance of survival once hospitalized: 47 percent of those admitted died. In comparison, just over a third of nonsmokers died.

Non-smokers made up 85 percent of victims, smokers 6 percent, and ex-smokers 9 percent, which was not significantly different from the total cohort. However, active smokers had a 50/50 chance of survival once hospitalized: 47 percent of those admitted died. In comparison, just over a third of nonsmokers died

Non-smokers made up 85 percent of victims, smokers 6 percent, and ex-smokers 9 percent, which was not significantly different from the total cohort. However, active smokers had a 50/50 chance of survival once hospitalized: 47 percent of those admitted died. In comparison, just over a third of nonsmokers died

France to study whether nicotine patches prevent COVID-19

French researchers plan to test whether nicotine patches will help prevent or lessen the effects of the deadly coronavirus.

Doctors at a major Paris hospital, who also found low smoking rates among those infected, now plan to give nicotine patches to COVID-19 patients.

They will also be given to front-line workers to see if the stimulant has any effect in preventing the spread of the virus, according to reports.

The French study, conducted in Pitié Salpêtrière, part of the Hôpitaux de Paris, used data from 480 patients who tested positive for the virus.

Three hundred and fifty were hospitalized and the rest recovered at home.

The results showed that of the hospitalized patients, with a mean age of 65 years, only 4.4 percent were regular smokers. But among those at home, with an average age of 44, 5.3 percent smoked.

In comparison, among the general population, 40 percent of those ages 44 to 53 smoke, and about 11 percent of those ages 65 to 75 smoke.

The researchers found that far fewer smokers appear to have contracted the virus, or if they have, their symptoms are less severe.

Since the findings, France has had to limit the sale of nicotine substitutes to avoid storage. The government said that until May 11, when the country’s blockade is planned to gradually begin to lift, pharmacies will only be able to sell a maximum of a month of products to treat nicotine dependence, such as patches, gum or pills.

The sale of such products online was completely suspended.

The underlying mechanisms that potentially protect smokers are still unclear.

But a theory disproved by scientists is that nicotine reduces ACE-2 receptors, which are proteins in the body that the virus binds to infect cells.

Dr. Gaibazzi has his own theory: He speculated that exposure to cigarette smoke and its chemicals reduces the body’s immune system over time, as measured by lower inflammatory markers.

Therefore, when smokers are infected with a virus such as SARS-CoV-2, their immune system is more “tolerant” and does not overreact.

On the other hand, nonsmokers may be more likely to have a sudden and fatal release of inflammatory markers when they are infected with the virus, known as “cytokine storm.”

Doctors have previously said that it is often the body’s response to the virus, rather than the virus itself, that plays an important role in a person’s illness.

Dr. Gaibazzi and the authors wrote: ‘Patients admitted with COVID-19 in an Italian hospital heavily involved in the recent outbreak showed a disproportionately low prevalence of active smokers compared to the general population.

“The current study is useful in that it suggests that smokers may carry some form of protective mechanism against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection.”

The study was published on the MedRxiv prepress site and has therefore not been scrutinized by other scientists.

Smokers are generally at increased risk for infection because the tiny hairs inside the airways and lungs, which help flush out pathogens and mucus, are often damaged by toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke.

In theory, this would put smokers at a disadvantage if they contract the coronavirus, considering that the disease leaves patients unable to get enough oxygen into the bloodstream due to lung inflammation.

But data from around the world shows the opposite: that smokers are protected from infection in some way.

The team isn't the first to suggest that smokers may be protected by their habit, after a series of studies have detected the unexpected link (stock image)

The team isn’t the first to suggest that smokers may be protected by their habit, after a series of studies have detected the unexpected link (stock image)

The University of College London reviewed 28 studies and found that smoking rates were lower than expected among COVID-19 patients. The graph shows the smoking rate for each country versus the percentage of smokers among patients with COVID-19. The lowest figure for each country was chosen to show the stark comparison uncovered by some studies

The University of College London reviewed 28 studies and found that smoking rates were lower than expected among COVID-19 patients. The graph shows the smoking rate for each country versus the percentage of smokers among patients with COVID-19. The lowest figure for each country was chosen to show the stark comparison uncovered by some studies

WHAT DID THE FIRST FIVE SMOKING STUDIES DO WITH COVID-19?

A team of scientists from Harvard University in Boston and the University of Crete in Greece reviewed five of the first studies on the links between smoking and COVID-19 in March.

They found that smokers face an increased risk of complications, but others suggested they were less likely to become infected in the first place.

In all of the studies, less than 15 percent of the patients were smokers, a number that clashes with China’s smoking rate, which represents between 20 and 26 percent and almost half of the men.

The evidence review, led by Dr. Constantine Vardavas of Harvard, was published in the journal Tobacco Induced Diseases.

This is what he found:

STUDY ONE: 78 patients in 3 hospitals in Wuhan

How many of them were smokers?

Unclear

What did you find?

Patients who progressed to serious illness had a ‘significantly’ higher number of smokers compared to patients who improved: 27 percent compared to three percent

STUDY TWO: 1,099 in 552 hospitals in China

How many of them were smokers?

A total of 12.6 percent (137) were current smokers and 1.9 percent (21) were ex-smokers.

What did you find?

Among the 173 patients with severe symptoms, 16.9% (29) were current smokers and 5.2% (nine) were ex-smokers.

In comparison, 11.8 percent (108) of the 926 with milder symptoms were current smokers, and 1.3 percent (12) were former smokers.

In the group of patients who needed mechanical ventilation, were admitted to an ICU or died, 25.5 percent were current smokers and 7.6 percent were previous smokers.

That was more than double the proportion of patients who did not need intensive care, 11.8 percent of whom were current smokers and 1.6 percent were former smokers.

STUDY THREE: 140 in a hospital in Wuhan

How many of them were smokers?

6.4 percent were current smokers (two) or past smokers (seven).

What did you find?

Among the 58 patients with serious illnesses, 3.4% (two people) were current smokers and 6.9% (four) were former smokers.

In comparison, of the 82 with milder symptoms, none were current smokers and 3.7 percent (three) were former smokers.

STUDY FOUR: 191 at two hospitals in Wuhan

How many of them were smokers?

Six percent (11 people) were current smokers

What did you find?

Among those who died (54), nine percent (five people) were current smokers. Of those who survived, four percent (six people) were smokers.

STUDY FIVE: 41 at a hospital in Wuhan

How many of them were smokers?

Seven percent (three people) were current smokers.

What did you find?

None of the 13 patients who needed to be admitted to the ICU were current smokers. In contrast, 11 percent (three) of those who did not need intensive care were smokers.

A review of scientific studies by academics at University College London also found that the proportions of smokers among hospital patients were “lower than expected.”

His article was titled, ‘The Association of Smoking with SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Hospitalization, and COVID-19 Mortality: A Review of Quick and Living Evidence’ and was published on the Qeios website to share studies in April.

David Simons and colleagues analyzed 28 studies with more than 23,000 people.

Twenty-two of the studies were conducted in China, three in the USA. One, one in South Korea, one in France, and one was an international study using data mainly from the UK.

The study of the EE. USA He suggested that smokers appear to be less likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2 compared to never smokers.

Rather than this reflecting the likelihood of contracting the virus in the first place, it is more likely to point to the risk of someone getting so sick that they have to go to the hospital. Most of the countries involved in the studies performed almost all of their tests in hospitals.

But the researchers noted that smokers were more likely to be tested, possibly because their symptoms, such as a cough, are more evident because of their habit.

Two high-quality studies provided zero evidence that the 657 current or former smokers with the virus had an increased risk of ending up in the hospital.

But when smokers are diagnosed with the virus, however, they appear to be more likely to become so ill that they need ventilation.

According to two other studies, that involves 1,370 people hospitalized. Smokers were 43 percent more likely to see their disease progress to severe than those who had never smoked.

Three studies reported COVID-19 mortality rates, but “there did not appear to be a noticeable difference” between smokers and nonsmokers.

However, the studies “did not explicitly establish never-smoking status,” the authors said. They implied that the patients who died may have smoked in the past, but this was not clearly recorded by a physician.

The authors concluded that there is a lack of evidence that meets a high standard to definitively say whether or not smokers have an increased risk of contracting the coronavirus or having poor results.

The researchers admit that hospitals probably do not record patients’ smoking status correctly, possibly because they are too busy, patients are too sick to respond, or because people lie in their responses.

“Despite these uncertainties, compared to national prevalence estimates, current and past smoking rates recorded in the included studies were generally lower than expected,” the study authors wrote.

Linda Bauld, a professor of public health at the University of Edinburgh, has admitted that “something strange is happening with smoking and the coronavirus.”

She told Good Morning Britain on April 28: ‘We have known for decades that smoking is linked to an increased risk of developing respiratory conditions and that people who smoke have worse outcomes.

“And we still have around seven million smokers in the UK, [the] main preventable cause of death.

“However, my colleagues at UCL … what they found is that surprisingly there are few smokers in those studies who have developed coronavirus.

‘In a French study, four times as many non-smokers contracted the virus and developed COVID-19 compared to smokers.

“There is a possible biological explanation for this.”

Professor Bauld suggested that the way the virus enters the body may be blocked by the effects of nicotine, the addictive compound found in tobacco, a theory popularized by scientists.

The data of the EE. USA They suggest that smokers appear to be less likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2 compared to those who never smoked. But the researchers noted that smokers were more likely to be tested, possibly because their symptoms are more obvious.

The data of the EE. USA They suggest that smokers appear to be less likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2 compared to those who never smoked. But the researchers noted that smokers were more likely to be tested, possibly because their symptoms are more obvious.

Three studies looked at hospitalization for COVID-19 based on smoking. An analysis of two of these studies provided zero evidence that the current or previous 657 smokers with the virus had an increased risk of ending up in the hospital.

Three studies looked at hospitalization for COVID-19 based on smoking. An analysis of two of these studies provided zero evidence that the current or previous 657 smokers with the virus had an increased risk of ending up in the hospital.

Among 1,370 people hospitalized in two other studies, smokers were 43% more likely to see the progress of their disease than those who had never smoked.

Among 1,370 people hospitalized in two other studies, smokers were 43% more likely to see the progress of their disease than those who had never smoked.

Three studies reported COVID-19 mortality rates, but

Three studies reported COVID-19 mortality rates, but “there did not appear to be a noticeable difference” between smokers and nonsmokers.

The coronavirus enters cells within the body through structures called ACE-2 receptors, which line the surface of some cells, including the airways and lungs.

The number of ACE-2 receptors someone has is thought to vary by genetics.

Some evidence suggests that they are higher in smokers. This could, in theory, put them at greater risk of contracting the coronavirus.

However, the virus is known to cause lung damage by depleting the number of ACE-2 receptors, so the fact that smoking increases them could reverse the effect and prevent damage to the lungs.

Other studies show that nicotine reduces the action of the ACE-2 receptor, suggesting that smokers are less likely to contract the virus in the first place.

Professor Bauld said: ‘It is plausible that smokers are less likely to develop the condition potentially due to nicotine. Importantly, in that UCL review where smokers developed COVID-19, their results are much worse. ”

A leading infectious disease expert at University College London, Professor Francois Balloux, also previously said that there is “strangely strong” evidence that smoking can be protective.

The first review of the evidence on smoking was conducted in March, when there were very few studies.

But still, the team led by Harvard’s Dr. Constantine Vardavas concluded that smokers face an increased risk of complications, but are less likely to become infected in the first place.

They reviewed five studies, published their findings in the journal Tobacco Induced Diseases, and said that so far the evidence that smoking increases the risk of coronavirus is limited, after finding that only 1.4 percent of hospitalized patients were smokers.

Experts even admitted that the warnings made by health chiefs were based primarily on assumptions, given the known risks of infection from smoking.

The first review of the evidence on smoking took place in March, when there were very few studies: studies from China found that the average proportion of coronavirus patients who were classified as smokers, out of a total of almost 6,000 people, was only 6.5 percent

The first review of the evidence on smoking took place in March, when there were very few studies: studies from China found that the average proportion of coronavirus patients who were classified as smokers, out of a total of almost 6,000 people, was only 6.5 percent

Dr. Constantine Vardavas concluded that smokers face an increased risk of complications, but are less likely to become infected in the first place: A large study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that 173 patients had severe symptoms. 16.9 percent of them were current smokers and 5.2 percent had previously smoked. In comparison, of the patients with less severe symptoms, 11.8 percent were current smokers and 1.3 percent were ex-smokers.

Dr. Constantine Vardavas concluded that smokers face an increased risk of complications, but are less likely to become infected in the first place: A large study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that 173 patients had severe symptoms. 16.9 percent of them were current smokers and 5.2 percent had previously smoked. In comparison, of the patients with less severe symptoms, 11.8 percent were current smokers and 1.3 percent were ex-smokers.

Researchers from the Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University concluded that only 1.4 percent of the 140 hospitalized patients were smokers.

Researchers from the Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University concluded that only 1.4 percent of the 140 hospitalized patients were smokers.

A study of 41 patients found that none of the 13 patients who needed to be admitted to the ICU were current smokers. In contrast, 11 percent (three) of those who did not need intensive care were smokers.

A study of 41 patients found that none of the 13 patients who needed to be admitted to the ICU were current smokers. In contrast, 11 percent (three) of those who did not need intensive care were smokers.

A study of 140 patients with coronavirus found that among the 58 patients with serious illnesses, 3.4% (two people) were current smokers and 6.9% (four) were ex-smokers. In comparison, of the 82 with milder symptoms, none were current smokers and 3.7 percent (three) were former smokers

A study of 140 patients with coronavirus found that among the 58 patients with serious illnesses, 3.4% (two people) were current smokers and 6.9% (four) were ex-smokers. In comparison, of the 82 with milder symptoms, none were current smokers and 3.7 percent (three) were former smokers

WHAT IS AN ACE-2 RECEIVER AND WHAT DOES IT HAVE TO DO WITH COVID-19?

ACE-2 receptors are structures on the surface of cells in the lungs and airways that work with an enzyme called ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) to regulate blood pressure.

Its exact function in the lungs is not well understood, but studies suggest that it protects against lung damage, and low levels may worsen the impact of viral infections.

Scientists say the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 enters the body through the ACE-2 receptor, which its shape allows it to latch on.

This means that someone with more ACE-2 receptors may be more susceptible to a large viral load, the first infectious dose of a virus, that enters their bloodstream.

Scientists say ACE-2 receptors match the outside of the coronavirus, effectively providing a gateway to the bloodstream.

Scientists say ACE-2 receptors have a shape that matches the outside of the coronavirus, effectively providing a gateway to the bloodstream

People who have higher than normal ACE-2 receptor numbers may include those with diabetes or high blood pressure because they have genetic defects that cause them to produce more. Emerging evidence shows that smokers can also produce more.

However, high levels of ACE-2 receptors may also be protective.

They are believed to protect the lungs during infection, and a 2008 mouse study found that mice that had ACE-2 blocked in their bodies suffered more damage when infected with SARS, which is almost identical to COVID-19.

In the past, smoking has been repeatedly associated with lower than normal levels of ACE-2 receptors, which may increase the risk of lung damage from COVID-19.

What have studies from other countries shown?

La revisión de UCL incluyó 22 estudios realizados en hospitales en China, que mostraron que entre el 3,8 y el 17,6 por ciento de los pacientes con COVID-19 eran fumadores actuales y menos del cinco por ciento eran ex fumadores.

Sin embargo, los datos de 2018 muestran que más de la mitad de la población del país son fumadores actuales (50.5 por ciento de los hombres y 2.1 por ciento de las mujeres).

Y casi uno de cada 10 de los no fumadores en China son exfumadores (8,4 por ciento de los hombres y 0,8 por ciento de las mujeres).

Un estudio separado publicado a principios de abril por científicos en Nueva York y Atenas analizó 13 estudios chinos que habían registrado fumar como condición previa y descubrió que el número de fumadores en toda la muestra de 5.300 pacientes era del 6.5%.

Es un número asombrosamente pequeño en un país donde la mitad de los hombres todavía fuman.

En estudios estadounidenses revisados ​​por UCL, 1.3 a 27.2 por ciento eran fumadores actuales, en contraste con una prevalencia de fumar de 13.8 por ciento en 2018.

Y 2.3 a 30.6 por ciento eran ex fumadores, en comparación con el 20.9 por ciento de los ex fumadores en los estados.

Del mismo modo, los datos publicados en The New England Journal of Medicine de la ciudad de Nueva York, el epicentro de la epidemia en los Estados Unidos, muestran que solo el 5.1 por ciento de los pacientes son fumadores.

En un estudio de Corea del Sur, el 18.5 por ciento eran fumadores actuales, lo que casi coincide con la prevalencia de fumar del 19.3 por ciento en 2016.

En un estudio realizado en Francia, el 7.1 por ciento eran fumadores actuales, el 6.1 por ciento de los cuales fueron hospitalizados. Pero se registran tasas de tabaquismo mucho más altas en la población: 32 por ciento.

Sin embargo, los resultados fueron diferentes para los ex fumadores, de los cuales hay un 31,4 por ciento en Francia. Un 59,1 por ciento mucho más alto de pacientes con COVID-19 eran ex fumadores.

En el estudio internacional con participantes predominantemente del Reino Unido en un entorno hospitalario, el cinco por ciento eran fumadores actuales o anteriores.

Esto se compara con una prevalencia de tabaquismo actual y anterior de 14.4 y 25.8 por ciento en Inglaterra en 2018, “ lo que sugiere una proporción menor de lo esperado de fumadores actuales y anteriores en el estudio incluido ”.

Un estudio realizado por los Centros para el Control de Enfermedades de los Estados Unidos de más de 7,000 personas que dieron positivo para coronavirus, encontró que solo el 1.3 por ciento de ellos eran fumadores, contra el 14 por ciento de todos los estadounidenses que los CDC dicen que fuman.

El estudio también encontró que los fumadores no tenían mayores posibilidades de terminar en el hospital o en una UCI.

Recientemente, el artista de fama mundial David Hockney escribió una carta al Daily Mail diciendo: “ Solía ​​bromear diciendo que ser fumador en Malibu era el equivalente a ser un no fumador en Pasadena. Solían tener muy mala contaminación allí.

‘¿No podría ser que los fumadores hayan desarrollado un sistema inmune a este virus? Con todas estas cifras, estoy empezando a parecerme así “.

El artista británico, que ahora tiene 82 años y vive en Francia, agrega “Hablo en serio” y en el pasado ha revelado que ha fumado durante más de 60 años, pero aún se considera saludable.

LOS DATOS TEMPRANOS DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS SOLO 1.3 POR CIENTO DE LOS PACIENTES CORONAVIRUS SON FUMADOR

Los primeros datos de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades de los Estados Unidos (CDC) mostraron que solo el 1.3 por ciento de las personas diagnosticadas con COVID-19 fueron clasificados como fumadores.

De una muestra de 7,162 de los primeros pacientes de la nación, solo 96 eran ‘fumadores actuales’. Según los datos, solo 22 de 1.037 pacientes en el hospital eran fumadores, junto con cinco de 457 en cuidados intensivos.

Esto contrasta fuertemente con las estadísticas de los CDC que muestran que el 14 por ciento de todos los estadounidenses fuman cigarrillos regularmente.

No está claro si existe un vínculo entre fumar y un menor riesgo de contraer o enfermarse con coronavirus, o si el registro de quién fuma y quién no, no está a la altura.

El profesor Jamie Brown, del University College London, experto en tabaco y salud pública, dijo que espera que sea lo último.

Él le dijo a MailOnline: ‘Es realmente difícil evaluar qué tan bien se ha registrado el estado de fumar en una epidemia emergente y muchas de estas personas han estado demasiado enfermas para responder o pueden no haber respondido con total honestidad.

“Sabemos que, en general, los fumadores tienden a provenir de grupos de bajos ingresos que tienen menos acceso a la atención médica y es más probable que mueran en la comunidad”.

Los datos de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) en los EE. USA Mostraron que de alrededor de 7,000 pacientes con COVID-19, los ex fumadores tenían más probabilidades de ser hospitalizados o llevados a cuidados intensivos que los fumadores actuales

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US showed that of around 7,000 COVID-19 patients, former smokers were more likely to be hospitalised or taken into intensive care than current smokers

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