Cigarette smoking exacerbates the adverse effects of age and metabolic syndrome on subclinical atherosclerosis: the Bogalusa Heart Study

Age and metabolic syndrome are major risk factors for atherosclerosis. However, limited information is available regarding whether cigarette smoking, another major, modifiable risk factor, has synergistic effects with age and metabolic syndrome on subclinical atherosclerosis, particularly in young adults. This aspect was examined in 1,051 adults (747 whites and 304 blacks; aged 24-43 years) from the Bogalusa Heart Study. General linear models were used to examine the effects of cigarette smoking and its interactive effects with age and metabolic syndrome on carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). After adjusting for age, race, and sex, current smokers had lower BMI (mean ± SE: 27.4 ± 0.4, 29.3 ± 0.5, and 29.9 ± 0.3 kg/m2 in current, former, and never smokers, respectively; p