Smoking and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk in young men: the Korean Life Course Health Study

ObjectiveTo examine the effect of smoking on risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in Korean young men and to examine whether serum total cholesterol levels could modify the effect of smoking on ASCVD.DesignA prospective cohort study within a national insurance system.SettingHealth screenings provided by national insurance in 1992 and 1994.ParticipantsA total of 118 531 young men between 20 and 29 years of age and were followed up for an average of 23 years.Outcome measureTo assess the independent effects of smoking on the risk of ischaemic heart disease (IHD), stroke and ASCVD, Cox proportional hazards regression models were used, controlling for age, hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia and alcohol drinking.ResultsThe total number of current smokers was 78 455 (66.2%), and 94 113 (79.7%) of the sample recorded a total cholesterol level