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Is smoking a risk factor for lumbar disc herniation?

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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the association between cigarette smoking and lumbar disc herniation (LDH).

Methods

Cohort or case–control studies were identified by searches of several data bases, including Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, and BIOSIS, for entries made up to December 2014. Data extraction was performed by two independent investigators. The data synthesis was performed using the random effects model. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analyses, and assessment for publication bias were also performed.

Results

This systematic review included 12 studies—six each of cohort and case–control studies. The combined reported values showed that the relative risk of the association between smoking and LDH was 1.27 [95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.15–1.40] overall, 1.48 (95 % CI, 1.27–1.73) for case–control studies, and 1.17 (95 % CI, 1.05–1.30) for cohort studies.

Conclusion

This systematic review demonstrates that smoking promotes the development of LDH.

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Acknowledgments

No funds were received in support of this work. No benefits have been or will be received from a commercial party related to the subject of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, General Hospital of Jinan Military Commanding Region, Jinan, People’s Republic of China

    Weimin Huang, Kai Zheng & Xiuchun Yu

  2. Department of Endocrinology, General Hospital of Jinan Military Commanding Region, Jinan, People’s Republic of China

    Ying Qian

  3. Department of Statistics, General Hospital of Jinan Military Commanding Region, Jinan, People’s Republic of China

    Lili Yu

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  1. Weimin Huang
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Correspondence to Xiuchun Yu.

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Huang, W., Qian, Y., Zheng, K. et al. Is smoking a risk factor for lumbar disc herniation?. Eur Spine J 25, 168–176 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-015-4103-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-015-4103-y

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