Smoking and non-smoking tobacco as risk factors in subarachnoid haemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE

Swedish snuff is a particular form of non-smoking tobacco with high nicotine content. It is unknown whether this form of tobacco is a risk factor similar to smoking for suffering subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). In the present study we report our finding concerning smoking and snuff as risk factors for the disease.

METHODS

We analysed 120 consecutive patients with SAH regarding consumption of tobacco, in order to evaluate if snuff also is associated with an increased risk of SAH.

RESULTS

The relative risk of SAH was about 2.5 times higher for smokers compared with the background population. Consumption of snuff was not associated with an increased risk.

CONCLUSIONS

It seems unlikely that nicotine is solely responsible for the rupture of cerebral aneurysms. The final cause of the increased risk for suffering SAH has to be sought in other factors associated with tobacco smoking.