Lung cancer and environmental tobacco smoke in a non-industrial area of China

We report results from a population-based case-control study of lung cancer and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) among never-smokers conducted in 2 rural prefectures of China, including 200 female and 33 male lung cancer cases, and 407 female and 114 male controls, matched on age, sex and prefecture of current residence. The odds ratio (OR) for ever-exposed to ETS was 1.19 (95% CI 0.7-2.0), with a significant trend (p < 0.05) with increasing exposure. ORs were 1.00, 1.04, 1.13 and 1.51 for non-exposed, < 10, 10-19 and greater than or equal to 20 pack-years of ETS exposure, respectively. Excess risks were limited to ETS exposures in childhood (less than or equal to 18 years of age). The OR for ever-exposed to ETS in childhood, adjusting for ETS exposure in adulthood, was 1.52 (95% CI 1.1-2.2), with a significant trend (p < 0.01) with increasing pack-years of childhood exposure, 1.00, 1.43, 1.81 and 2.95, respectively. After adjustment for ETS in childhood, there was no excess risk from adult ETS exposure. The OR for ever-exposed to ETS in adulthood was 0.90 (95% CI 0.-1.4). These results were not affected by adjustment for type of residential dwelling, type or amount of fuel used, perceived indoor smokiness, or measures of socioeconomic status, or omitting next-of-kin respondents. Published 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.(dagger)