Association between Smoking and Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Xiaowen Li, Xing Rong, Zhi Wang and Aihua Lin
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Xiaowen Li: Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
Xing Rong: The Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health, Guangzhou Medical University, 1 Tianqiang St., Huangpu West Ave., Guangzhou 510620, China
Zhi Wang: The Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health, Guangzhou Medical University, 1 Tianqiang St., Huangpu West Ave., Guangzhou 510620, China
Aihua Lin: Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 4, 1-14

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to synthesize the results of previously published observational studies through meta-analysis to clarify the association between smoking and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). We searched several databases as of October 2019. Based on the results of heterogeneity analysis ( Q statistic and I 2 statistic), a fixed effect model (for no heterogeneity; Q test P > 0.1 and I 2 ≤ 50%) or a random effects model (for heterogeneity) was used to calculate the pooled odds ratios (ORs). We explored the potential dose-response relationship between smoking and NIHL as well. In total, 27 studies involving 30,465 participants were included. Compared with non-smokers, the pooled OR of current smokers was 2.05 (95% Confidence interval (CI): 1.71–2.46), and of former smokers was 1.11 (95% CI: 1.05–1.18). We found a curve linear association between an increasing number of pack-years (packages/day × smoking years) and risk of NIHL. The dose-response meta-analysis suggested that when the number of pack-years was less than fifteen, the risk of NIHL was increasing, and the highest combined OR was 5.25 (95% CI: 2.30–11.96) for pack-years of fifteen. After fifteen pack-years, the pooled OR had a slow decline. Our study indicated that smoking is a risk factor for NIHL. Current smokers have a higher risk than former smokers, and there is a positive dose-response relationship between smoking and NIHL.

Keywords: noise-induced hearing loss; smoking; meta-analysis; dose-response relationship (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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