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. 2017 Apr 20;12:386–399. doi: 10.1016/j.dib.2017.04.021

Data on cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases among smokers of menthol and non-menthol cigarettes compiled from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 1999–2012

Cynthia Van Landingham a,, William Fuller a, Greg Mariano b, Kristin Marano c, Geoffrey Curtin c, Sandra I Sulsky d
PMCID: PMC5415547  PMID: 28491944

Abstract

This Data in Brief contains results from three different survey logistic regression models comparing risks of self-reported diagnoses of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases among smokers of menthol and non-menthol cigarettes. Analyses employ data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles administered between 1999 and 2012, combined and in subsets. Raw data may be downloaded from the National Center for Health Statistics. Results were not much affected by which covariates were included in the models, but depended strongly on the NHANES cycles included in the analysis. All three models returned elevated risk estimates for three endpoints when they were run in individual NHANES cycles (congestive heart failure in 2001–02; hypertension in 2003–04; and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 2005–06), and all three models returned null results for these endpoints when data from 1999–2012 were combined.

Keywords: NHANES, Menthol versus non-menthol, Survey methods, Reanalysis, Cross-model validation


Specifications Table

Subject area Epidemiology
More specific subject area Health risks associated with smoking menthol vs. non-menthol cigarettes
Type of data Tables
How data was acquired Downloaded from US National Center for Health Statistics and analyzed using survey logistic regression methods
Data format Analyzed
Experimental factors None
Experimental features Self-reported diagnoses of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases are compared for smokers of menthol and non-menthol cigarettes
Data source location USA
Data accessibility Data are available from the US National Center for Health Statistics http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/nhanes_questionnaires.htm

Value of the data

  • Results of different models run on the same data set provide insights into how the data (i.e., which cycles of NHANES) and the covariates selected for inclusion in a model influence risk estimates.

  • Estimates based on individual (i.e., 2-year) cycles of the NHANES versus estimates from combined cycles of NHANES show inconsistency and illustrate that analyses using individual cycles should not be used to draw causal inferences about the population.

  • The data provided here allow comparisons between analyses published in two recent papers that reported contradictory results.

1. Experimental design, materials and methods

Two recent publications reported contradictory findings from analyses of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Vozoris reported a statistically significantly increased adjusted odds of stroke diagnosis among menthol compared with non-menthol cigarette smokers, in particular among non-African Americans, using data from 2007–2008 cycle (incorrectly reported as 2001–2008) of NHANES [5]. Rostron did not detect a difference in stroke risk among smokers of menthol compared with non-menthol cigarettes, based on analyses of NHANES data from the 1999 through 2010 cycles [3]. Our investigation of the reasons for the discordant results reported by Vozoris and Rostron with respect to stroke risk, and the results of new analyses comparing stroke risks among smokers of menthol and non-menthol cigarettes that use all NHANES cycles from 1999 through 2012 is available elsewhere [4]. The differences between the Vozoris [5] and Rostron [3] results were shown to be mainly due to the inadvertent exclusion of all but the 2007–2008 NHANES data from the Vozoris [5] analysis. The data presented here examine risks of other endpoints evaluated by Vozoris (i.e., hypertension (HTN), myocardial infarction (MI), congestive heart failure (CHF), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)) among smokers of menthol compared with non-menthol cigarettes estimated according to three different logistic regression models: 1) models proposed by Vozoris, using NHANES 2007–2008, 1999–2010, and 1999–2012; 2) models proposed by Rostron, using NHANES 2007–2008, 1999–2010, and 1999–2012; and 3) a new set of models we developed with purposeful selection techniques using NHANES 1999–2012.

NHANES is a nationally representative survey of US, non-institutionalized civilians. It is conducted in two year cycles, with approximately 10,000 individuals in each cycle. Interviews elicit information on demographic characteristics (e.g., age, gender, race/ethnicity), smoking habits, and whether a health professional had ever diagnosed the participant with certain medical conditions. Cycles of the NHANES can be combined, or they can be analyzed individually. Because NHANES employs a complex, multistage, sampling strategy, survey statistics must be used to analyze the data and to generalize findings to the US population. In this case, we used the SURVEYLOGISTIC procedure of SAS/STAT© version 9.4 to perform logistic regression accounting for the complex sampling design, i.e., using both the masked variance pseudo-primary sampling unit (SMDVPSU) and the masked variance pseudo-stratum (SDMVSTRA) variables, using the adjusted 2 year interview weight (WTINT2YR), and using Taylor series linearization to estimate the covariance matrix. Weights were adjusted for the inclusion of multiple surveys [2] by dividing the WTINT2YR variable by the number of cycles used in each analysis. We additionally ran all models within strata defined by age, race/ethnicity, and gender using the SAS DOMAIN statement to specify these subpopulations and to ensure the variance and standard errors were calculated correctly. See associated file SAS CODE.DOCX for the code to combine the cycles of NHANES with common variables and an example of the Proc Logistic code used for analysis.

Following both Vozoris and Rostron, we defined current smokers as those who had smoked ≥1 of the last 30 days and who were ≥20 years old at the time of the interview. Table 1 shows the variables we used in these analyses. We identified cases by their self-reported diagnoses according to the question “has a doctor or other health professional ever told you that you had [high blood pressure, a heart attack, congestive heart failure, a stroke, or COPD (emphysema or chronic bronchitis)]” (yes/no). We considered all other responses to be a non-response and set them as missing. Stroke was the subject of Van Landingham et al. [4], and data are not presented here.

Table 1.

NHANES variables considered in analyses.

NHANES variable Description
RIDAGEYR Age
RIAGENDR Gender
RIDRETH1 Race (races were combined as African American (i.e., non-Hispanic Black) or non-African American (i.e., Mexican-American, other Hispanic, non-Hispanic white and Other Races). When non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic White and Mexican Americans were reported, the “other Hispanic” and “other races” were combined into a category (Other). The Other category was not reported separately.
SMD070 Average # of cigarettes smoked per day
SMD080, SMD641 # days smoked in last 30 days. Data were captured in the variable SMD080 in NHANES 1999–2000 and 2001–2002, and in SMD641 starting in 2003.
SMD030 Age started smoking
BMXBMI Body Mass Index
INDFMPIR Poverty to Income Ratio (PIR)
DMDEDUC2a Highest education level
INDHHINC, INDHHIN2a Household Income. Data were captured in the variable INDHHINC in NHANES surveys before 2007, and in INDHHIN2 from 2007 through 2012.
BPQ020 Hypertension
MCQ160E Myocardial Infarction
MCD160B Congestive Heart Failure
MCQ160F Stroke
MCQ160G, MCQ160K Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (a yes for either variable indicated a yes for COPD)
SMD075 # of years smoked
SMQ140, SMQ170, SMQ200, SMD2130 Used other tobacco products (a yes for any of these four codes indicated a yes for Used other tobacco products)



Calculated variables
Pack yearsb Eq. 1. Average # of cigarettes smoked per day/20×(Age−Age started smoking+1)
Eq. 2. Average # of cigarettes smoked per day/20 × # of years smoked
Eq. 3. Average # of cigarettes smoked per day/20
a

Values indicating “do not know” and “refused” for these variables were retained in the analyses.

b

Pack years were calculated using Eq. (1), unless age started smoking was missing. Eq. (2) was used if age started smoking was missing and # of years smoked was available. Eq. (3) was used only as a last resort when only average # of cigarettes per day was available.

We ran three sets of models for each outcome using data from NHANES 2007 to 2008 (as used by Vozoris), from 1999 to 2010 (as used by Rostron) and from 1999 to 2012 (all cycles available when we undertook the project) to determine if the selection of covariates or cycles of the NHANES influenced the results. First, we implemented the model described by Vozoris (Table 2, Table 3, Table 4); second, we implemented the model described by Rostron (Table 5, Table 6, Table 7); last, we developed a new model for each outcome using purposeful selection of covariates (Table 8). Purposeful selection of covariates was conducted as follows: a preliminary model consisted of cigarette type (menthol or non-menthol) and all relevant, potential covariates (Table 1) with cigarette type forced to remain in all models. We identified each covariate, other than cigarette type, with a p-value of greater than 0.05. We refit the model after dropping the covariate with the largest p-value, until only cigarette type and covariates with p-values of 0.05 or less remained. Each covariate that had been dropped was added back individually, and we calculated the relative percent change in the regression coefficient for cigarette type for the larger model compared with the model containing only statistically significant covariates (Eq. (1)). If including a given covariate resulted in a relative percent change in the regression coefficient greater than 15%, that covariate was retained in the model.

relative%change=|1originalestimate/newestimate|×100 (1)

Table 2.

Model specified by Vozoris [5]a using data from NHANES 2007–2008; unweighted counts, adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Stratum Diagnosisb Cigarette preference Cases Non-Cases AOR 95% CI
Total N
Lower Upper
All HTN Non-Menthol 225 583 1158
Menthol 126 224 1.14 0.82 1.59
MI Non-Menthol 40 766 1156
Menthol 12 338 0.99 0.47 2.10
CHF Non-Menthol 20 785 1155
Menthol 11 339 1.06 0.41 2.75
COPD Non-Menthol 105 704 1159
Menthol 37 313 1.17 0.66 2.05
Female HTN Non-Menthol 97 219 506
Menthol 77 113 1.30 0.75 2.25
MI Non-Menthol 14 301 505
Menthol 6 184 0.53 0.17 1.63
CHF Non-Menthol 7 308 505
Menthol 5 185 0.63 0.15 2.67
COPD Non-Menthol 59 257 506
Menthol 29 161 1.04 0.62 1.75
Male HTN Non-Menthol 128 364 652
Menthol 49 111 1.06 0.67 1.67
MI Non-Menthol 26 465 651
Menthol 6 154 1.55 0.41 5.85
CHF Non-Menthol 13 477 650
Menthol 6 154 0.96 0.28 3.29
COPD Non-Menthol 46 447 653
Menthol 8 152 1.68 0.45 6.31
African American HTN Non-Menthol 36 67 278
Menthol 71 104 1.84 0.72 4.72
MI Non-Menthol 4 100 279
Menthol 8 167 1.44 0.43 4.91
CHF Non-Menthol 3 101 279
Menthol 9 166 1.84 0.17 20.38
COPD Non-Menthol 11 93 279
Menthol 12 163 0.34 0.06 1.86
Non-African American HTN Non-Menthol 189 516 880
Menthol 55 120 1.02 0.66 1.57
MI Non-Menthol 36 666 877
Menthol 4 171 0.74 0.22 2.57
CHF Non-Menthol 17 684 876
Menthol 2 173 0.69 0.16 3.04
COPD Non-Menthol 94 611 880
Menthol 25 150 1.30 0.72 2.34
Ages ≥70 years HTN Non-Menthol 32 24 69
Menthol 11 2 0.11 0.00 11.20
MI Non-Menthol 11 45 69
Menthol 2 11 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
CHF Non-Menthol 3 50 66
Menthol 1 12 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
COPD Non-Menthol 16 40 69
Menthol 3 10 1.88 0.14 26.05
Ages 20 to <70 years HTN Non-Menthol 193 559 1089
Menthol 115 222 1.02 0.77 1.37
MI Non-Menthol 29 721 1087
Menthol 10 327 0.65 0.27 1.56
CHF Non-Menthol 17 735 1089
Menthol 10 327 0.68 0.25 1.83
COPD Non-Menthol 89 664 1090
Menthol 34 303 1.06 0.58 1.94
a

Model controls for age, gender, race/ethnicity, body mass index, total household income, average number of cigarettes smoked per day in the last 30 days, number of days smoked in the last 30 days, and age started smoking. Vozoris [5].

b

HTN: hypertension; MI: myocardial infarction; CHF: congestive heart failure; COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Table 3.

Model specified by Vozoris [5]a using data from NHANES 1999–2010; unweighted counts, adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Stratum Diagnosisb Cigarette preference Cases Non-Cases AOR 95% CI
Total N
Lower Upper
All HTN Non-Menthol 1053 2934 5771
Menthol 520 1264 0.90 0.75 1.08
MI Non-Menthol 196 3810 5796
Menthol 63 1727 0.97 0.64 1.47
CHF Non-Menthol 111 3888 5788
Menthol 46 1743 1.08 0.66 1.75
COPD Non-Menthol 453 3562 5806
Menthol 181 1610 1.25 0.92 1.69
Female HTN Non-Menthol 461 1178 2552
Menthol 285 628 0.88 0.67 1.16
MI Non-Menthol 72 1569 2556
Menthol 21 894 0.69 0.35 1.38
CHF Non-Menthol 41 1598 2553
Menthol 16 898 0.93 0.42 2.07
COPD Non-Menthol 265 1379 2559
Menthol 115 800 1.11 0.81 1.52
Male HTN Non-Menthol 592 1756 3219
Menthol 235 636 0.92 0.69 1.22
MI Non-Menthol 124 2241 3240
Menthol 42 833 1.28 0.77 2.13
CHF Non-Menthol 70 2290 3235
Menthol 30 845 1.22 0.68 2.19
COPD Non-Menthol 188 2183 3247
Menthol 66 810 1.57 0.93 2.65
African American HTN Non-Menthol 183 227 1355
Menthol 314 631 0.94 0.70 1.26
MI Non-Menthol 28 383 1360
Menthol 29 920 0.65 0.32 1.32
CHF Non-Menthol 21 389 1359
Menthol 26 923 0.63 0.31 1.28
COPD Non-Menthol 41 371 1361
Menthol 71 878 0.65 0.39 1.08
Non-African American HTN Non-Menthol 870 2707 4416
Menthol 206 633 1.49 0.71 3.12
MI Non-Menthol 168 3427 4436
Menthol 34 807 1.05 0.67 1.65
Non-African American CHF Non-Menthol 90 3499 4429
Menthol 20 820 1.38 0.73 2.59
COPD Non-Menthol 412 3191 4445
Menthol 110 732 1.35 0.99 1.84
Ages ≥70 years HTN Non-Menthol 157 135 367
Menthol 43 32 0.63 0.30 1.32
MI Non-Menthol 43 248 368
Menthol 12 65 1.02 0.36 2.85
CHF Non-Menthol 26 260 362
Menthol 9 67 1.06 0.38 2.98
COPD Non-Menthol 65 228 370
Menthol 14 63 0.94 0.42 2.09
Ages 20 to <70 years HTN Non-Menthol 896 2799 5404
Menthol 477 1232 0.82 0.69 0.98
MI Non-Menthol 153 3562 5428
Menthol 51 1662 0.71 0.45 1.15
CHF Non-Menthol 85 3628 5426
Menthol 37 1676 0.82 0.45 1.49
COPD Non-Menthol 388 3334 5436
Menthol 167 1547 1.17 0.86 1.60
a

Model controls for age, gender, race/ethnicity, body mass index, total household income, average number of cigarettes smoked per day in the last 30 days, number of days smoked in the last 30 days, and age started smoking. Vozoris [5].

b

HTN: hypertension; MI: myocardial infarction; CHF: congestive heart failure; COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Table 4.

Model specified by Vozoris [5]a using data from NHANES 1999–2012; unweighted counts, adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Stratum Diagnosisb Cigarette preference Cases Non-Cases AOR 95% CI
Total N
Lower Upper
All HTN Non-Menthol 1236 3345 6710
Menthol 651 1478 0.91 0.77 1.08
MI Non-Menthol 228 4373 6736
Menthol 72 2063 0.84 0.56 1.24
CHF Non-Menthol 128 4467 6727
Menthol 54 2078 0.95 0.61 1.49
COPD Non-Menthol 527 4084 6747
Menthol 218 1918 1.20 0.91 1.56
Female HTN Non-Menthol 522 1331 2918
Menthol 348 717 0.91 0.70 1.19
MI Non-Menthol 79 1776 2922
Menthol 23 1044 0.63 0.32 1.25
CHF Non-Menthol 48 1805 2919
Menthol 18 1048 0.76 0.36 1.61
COPD Non-Menthol 297 1561 2925
Menthol 140 927 1.11 0.83 1.48
Male HTN Non-Menthol 714 2014 3792
Menthol 303 761 0.91 0.69 1.21
MI Non-Menthol 149 2597 3814
Menthol 49 1019 1.07 0.67 1.71
CHF Non-Menthol 80 2662 3808
Menthol 36 1030 1.17 0.70 1.96
COPD Non-Menthol 230 2523 3822
Menthol 78 991 1.35 0.85 2.13
African American HTN Non-Menthol 224 276 1639
Menthol 407 732 0.97 0.73 1.28
MI Non-Menthol 35 466 1644
Menthol 34 1109 0.60 0.33 1.11
CHF Non-Menthol 24 476 1642
Menthol 31 1111 0.56 0.29 1.08
COPD Non-Menthol 47 455 1645
Menthol 90 1053 0.73 0.46 1.16
Non-African American HTN Non-Menthol 1012 3069 5071
Menthol 244 746 0.91 0.75 1.12
MI Non-Menthol 193 3907 5092
Menthol 38 954 0.88 0.56 1.38
Non-African American CHF Non-Menthol 104 3991 5085
Menthol 23 967 1.14 0.64 2.02
COPD Non-Menthol 480 3629 5102
Menthol 128 865 1.26 0.95 1.67
Ages ≥70 years HTN Non-Menthol 180 153 421
Menthol 55 33 0.81 0.41 1.62
MI Non-Menthol 49 283 422
Menthol 14 76 1.08 0.43 2.71
CHF Non-Menthol 30 297 416
Menthol 10 79 1.02 0.38 2.74
COPD Non-Menthol 73 261 424
Menthol 16 74 0.88 0.42 1.83
Ages 20 to <70 years HTN Non-Menthol 1056 3192 6289
Menthol 596 1445 0.82 0.69 0.96
MI Non-Menthol 179 4090 6314
Menthol 58 1987 0.60 0.39 0.93
CHF Non-Menthol 98 4170 6311
Menthol 44 1999 0.71 0.41 1.23
COPD Non-Menthol 454 3823 6323
Menthol 202 1844 1.11 0.84 1.46
a

Model controls for age, gender, race/ethnicity, body mass index, total household income, average number of cigarettes smoked per day in the last 30 days, number of days smoked in the last 30 days, and age started smoking. Vozoris [5].

b

HTN: hypertension; MI: myocardial infarction; CHF: congestive heart failure; COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Table 5.

Model specified by Rostron [3]a using data from NHANES 2007–2008; unweighted counts, adjusted odds ratios (AOR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Stratum Diagnosisb Cigarette preference Cases Non-Cases AOR 95% CI
Total N
Lower Upper
All HTN Non-Menthol 215 546 1085
Menthol 113 211 1.03 0.74 1.42
MI Non-Menthol 39 720 1083
Menthol 10 314 0.65 0.28 1.54
CHF Non-Menthol 18 740 1082
Menthol 9 315 0.98 0.43 2.26
COPD Non-Menthol 99 663 1086
Menthol 32 292 1.02 0.55 1.88
Female HTN Non-Menthol 96 208 480
Menthol 72 104 1.20 0.68 2.12
MI Non-Menthol 14 289 479
Menthol 5 171 0.34 0.10 1.15
CHF Non-Menthol 5 298 479
Menthol 5 171 0.91 0.27 3.10
COPD Non-Menthol 55 249 480
Menthol 26 150 1.01 0.56 1.82
Male HTN Non-Menthol 119 338 605
Menthol 41 107 0.83 0.50 1.37
MI Non-Menthol 25 431 604
Menthol 5 143 1.19 0.22 6.34
CHF Non-Menthol 13 442 603
Menthol 4 144 0.79 0.22 2.90
COPD Non-Menthol 44 414 606
Menthol 6 142 1.07 0.30 3.79
Non-Hispanic Black HTN Non-Menthol 35 56 257
Menthol 65 101 1.54 0.49 4.85
MI Non-Menthol 4 88 258
Menthol 8 158 1.25 0.51 3.07
CHF Non-Menthol 3 89 258
Menthol 8 158 2.35 0.39 14.09
COPD Non-Menthol 10 82 258
Menthol 11 155 0.49 0.09 2.66
Non-Hispanic White HTN Non-Menthol 134 327 559
Menthol 29 69 0.91 0.56 1.48
MI Non-Menthol 29 430 557
Menthol 1 97 0.32 0.02 4.26
Non-Hispanic White CHF Non-Menthol 11 447 556
Menthol 0 98 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
COPD Non-Menthol 71 390 559
Menthol 12 86 1.04 0.50 2.18
Mexican American HTN Non-Menthol 28 86 132
Menthol 7 11 1.67 0.46 6.03
MI Non-Menthol 2 111 131
Menthol 0 18 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
CHF Non-Menthol 3 110 131
Menthol 0 18 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
COPD Non-Menthol 5 109 132
Menthol 2 16 2.50 0.41 15.42
Ages ≥70 years HTN Non-Menthol 32 23 65
Menthol 8 2 1.45 0.22 9.70
MI Non-Menthol 12 43 65
Menthol 0 10 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
CHF Non-Menthol 3 49 62
Menthol 0 10 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
COPD Non-Menthol 16 39 65
Menthol 1 9 1.05 0.09 12.30
Ages 20 to <70 years HTN Non-Menthol 183 523 1020
Menthol 105 209 1.04 0.76 1.43
MI Non-Menthol 27 677 1018
Menthol 10 304 0.76 0.35 1.65
CHF Non-Menthol 15 691 1020
Menthol 9 305 0.97 0.39 2.46
COPD Non-Menthol 83 624 1021
Menthol 31 283 1.08 0.57 2.04
a

Model controls for: age, gender, race/ethnicity, body mass index, PIR, and pack-years of smoking. Rostron [3].

b

HTN: hypertension; MI: myocardial infarction; CHF: congestive heart failure; COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Table 6.

Model specified by Rostron [3]a using data from NHANES 1999–2010; unweighted counts, adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Stratum Diagnosisb Cigarette preference Cases Non-Cases AOR 95% CI
Total N
Lower Upper
All HTN Non-Menthol 1029 2935 5731
Menthol 510 1257 0.87 0.73 1.03
MI Non-Menthol 191 3799 5763
Menthol 59 1714 0.82 0.53 1.25
CHF Non-Menthol 105 3876 5753
Menthol 43 1729 1.00 0.62 1.63
COPD Non-Menthol 441 3557 5772
Menthol 169 1605 1.14 0.85 1.52
Female HTN Non-Menthol 457 1173 2539
Menthol 285 624 0.87 0.65 1.15
MI Non-Menthol 71 1562 2544
Menthol 20 891 0.62 0.30 1.31
CHF Non-Menthol 37 1593 2540
Menthol 16 894 0.96 0.42 2.23
COPD Non-Menthol 262 1373 2546
Menthol 108 803 1.03 0.75 1.42
Male HTN Non-Menthol 572 1762 3192
Menthol 225 633 0.87 0.65 1.17
MI Non-Menthol 120 2237 3219
Menthol 39 823 1.04 0.60 1.80
CHF Non-Menthol 68 2283 3213
Menthol 27 835 1.07 0.60 1.91
COPD Non-Menthol 179 2184 3226
Menthol 61 802 1.42 0.84 2.39
Non-Hispanic Black HTN Non-Menthol 176 215 1332
Menthol 311 630 0.93 0.68 1.27
MI Non-Menthol 28 364 1337
Menthol 27 918 0.53 0.27 1.03
CHF Non-Menthol 20 371 1336
Menthol 24 921 0.61 0.30 1.26
COPD Non-Menthol 37 356 1338
Menthol 68 877 0.70 0.41 1.20
Non-Hispanic White HTN Non-Menthol 609 1806 2980
Menthol 126 439 0.85 0.69 1.06
Non-Hispanic White MI Non-Menthol 129 2288 2983
Menthol 22 544 0.85 0.50 1.42
CHF Non-Menthol 63 2352 2979
Menthol 14 550 1.20 0.60 2.40
COPD Non-Menthol 321 2101 2988
Menthol 75 491 1.18 0.84 1.66
Mexican American HTN Non-Menthol 154 607 877
Menthol 36 80 1.34 0.68 2.63
MI Non-Menthol 18 764 899
Menthol 4 113 2.82 0.36 22.11
CHF Non-Menthol 16 762 895
Menthol 2 115 0.46 0.11 1.95
COPD Non-Menthol 42 741 900
Menthol 6 111 0.69 0.27 1.76
Ages ≥70 years HTN Non-Menthol 150 129 351
Menthol 41 31 0.70 0.39 1.27
MI Non-Menthol 44 234 352
Menthol 10 64 0.78 0.29 2.13
CHF Non-Menthol 25 247 345
Menthol 8 65 0.86 0.30 2.46
COPD Non-Menthol 64 216 354
Menthol 11 63 0.76 0.35 1.66
Ages 20 to <70 years HTN Non-Menthol 879 2806 5380
Menthol 469 1226 0.84 0.70 1.00
MI Non-Menthol 147 3565 5411
Menthol 49 1650 0.76 0.47 1.22
CHF Non-Menthol 80 3629 5408
Menthol 35 1664 0.89 0.49 1.65
COPD Non-Menthol 377 3341 5418
Menthol 158 1542 1.15 0.85 1.56
a

Model controls for: age, gender, race/ethnicity, body mass index, PIR, and pack-years of smoking. Rostron [3].

b

HTN: Hypertension; MI: myocardial infarction; CHF: congestive heart failure; COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Table 7.

Model specified by Rostron [3]a using data from NHANES 1999–2012; unweighted counts, adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Stratum Diagnosisb Cigarette preference Cases Non-Cases AOR 95% CI
Total N
Lower Upper
All HTN Non-Menthol 1202 3319 6615
Menthol 632 1462 0.89 0.75 1.06
MI Non-Menthol 218 4330 6648
Menthol 66 2034 0.73 0.49 1.10
CHF Non-Menthol 121 4419 6637
Menthol 51 2046 0.95 0.62 1.47
COPD Non-Menthol 510 4047 6658
Menthol 204 1897 1.12 0.86 1.45
Female HTN Non-Menthol 515 1317 2888
Menthol 345 711 0.89 0.68 1.18
MI Non-Menthol 77 1758 2893
Menthol 22 1036 0.60 0.29 1.22
CHF Non-Menthol 44 1788 2889
Menthol 19 1038 0.92 0.44 1.89
COPD Non-Menthol 290 1547 2895
Menthol 133 925 1.05 0.79 1.40
Male HTN Non-Menthol 687 2002 3727
Menthol 287 751 0.89 0.66 1.19
MI Non-Menthol 141 2572 3755
Menthol 44 998 0.88 0.53 1.47
CHF Non-Menthol 77 2631 3748
Menthol 32 1008 1.01 0.59 1.73
COPD Non-Menthol 220 2500 3763
Menthol 71 972 1.25 0.79 1.99
Non-Hispanic Black HTN Non-Menthol 213 263 1597
Menthol 395 726 0.97 0.72 1.29
MI Non-Menthol 35 442 1602
Menthol 30 1095 0.49 0.27 0.89
CHF Non-Menthol 23 453 1600
Menthol 28 1096 0.57 0.30 1.10
COPD Non-Menthol 43 435 1603
Menthol 85 1040 0.79 0.49 1.27
Non-Hispanic White HTN Non-Menthol 705 2024 3377
Menthol 149 499 0.86 0.69 1.07
MI Non-Menthol 146 2584 3379
Menthol 24 625 0.75 0.45 1.25
Non-Hispanic White CHF Non-Menthol 74 2655 3376
Menthol 18 629 1.13 0.64 1.99
COPD Non-Menthol 373 2363 3385
Menthol 90 559 1.17 0.86 1.60
Mexican American HTN Non-Menthol 169 645 945
Menthol 39 92 1.33 0.74 2.37
MI Non-Menthol 19 816 967
Menthol 4 128 2.41 0.33 17.75
CHF Non-Menthol 17 814 963
Menthol 2 130 0.39 0.07 2.11
COPD Non-Menthol 44 792 968
Menthol 7 125 0.61 0.27 1.36
Ages ≥70 years HTN Non-Menthol 172 145 401
Menthol 52 32 0.85 0.48 1.49
MI Non-Menthol 49 267 402
Menthol 12 74 1.01 0.42 2.44
CHF Non-Menthol 28 282 395
Menthol 9 76 0.96 0.33 2.73
COPD Non-Menthol 72 246 404
Menthol 13 73 0.87 0.42 1.79
Ages 20 to <70 years HTN Non-Menthol 1030 3174 6214
Menthol 580 1430 0.85 0.71 1.01
MI Non-Menthol 169 4063 6246
Menthol 54 1960 0.64 0.41 1.00
CHF Non-Menthol 93 4137 6242
Menthol 42 1970 0.81 0.48 1.37
COPD Non-Menthol 438 3801 6254
Menthol 191 1824 1.11 0.84 1.45
a

Model controls for: age, gender, race/ethnicity, body mass index, PIR, and pack-years of smoking. Rostron [3].

b

HTN: hypertension; MI: myocardial infarction; CHF: congestive heart failure; COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Table 8.

Analysis of NHANES 1999‐2012a; proportionate distribution of menthol and non-menthol cigarette preference, unweighted counts, adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Stratum Diagnosisb Cigarette preference Cases Non-Cases AOR 95% CI
Total N
Lower Upper
All HTNc Non-Menthol 1316 3623 7238
Menthol 703 1596 0.91 0.76 1.07
MId Non-Menthol 218 4229 6509
Menthol 66 1996 0.76 0.50 1.14
CHFe Non-Menthol 122 4443 6671
Menthol 51 2055 1.00 0.66 1.54
COPDf Non-Menthol 507 3924 6486
Menthol 202 1853 1.15 0.88 1.50
Female HTNc Non-Menthol 557 1416 3137
Menthol 381 783 0.89 0.68 1.16
MId Non-Menthol 77 1731 2844
Menthol 22 1014 0.98 0.60 1.62
CHFe Non-Menthol 44 1796 2902
Menthol 19 1043 1.15 0.64 2.07
COPDf Non-Menthol 288 1513 2832
Menthol 133 898 1.09 0.81 1.47
Male HTNc Non-Menthol 759 2207 4101
Menthol 322 813 0.921 0.70 1.21
MId Non-Menthol 141 2498 3665
Menthol 44 982 0.61 0.29 1.28
CHFe Non-Menthol 78 2647 3769
Menthol 32 1012 1.00 0.62 1.63
COPDf Non-Menthol 219 2411 3654
Menthol 69 955 1.24 0.78 1.95
Non-Hispanic Black HTNc Non-Menthol 745 2146 3594
Menthol 165 538 0.88 0.70 1.09
MId Non-Menthol 146 2549 3336
Menthol 24 617 0.79 0.47 1.33
CHFe Non-Menthol 75 2659 3383
Menthol 18 631 1.14 0.62 2.13
COPDf Non-Menthol 373 2322 3334
Menthol 90 549 1.23 0.90 1.69
Non-Hispanic White HTNc Non-Menthol 241 296 1768
Menthol 441 790 0.97 0.74 1.29
MId Non-Menthol 35 434 1581
Menthol 30 1082 0.50 0.28 0.91
Non-Hispanic White CHFe Non-Menthol 23 453 1606
Menthol 28 1102 0.51 0.26 0.99
COPDf Non-Menthol 42 426 1574
Menthol 83 1023 0.70 0.43 1.14
Mexican American HTNc Non-Menthol 194 747 1091
Menthol 44 106 1.01 0.61 1.68
MId Non-Menthol 20 772 911
Menthol 4 115 2.11 0.35 12.87
CHFe Non-Menthol 17 825 975
Menthol 2 131 0.51 0.11 2.27
COPDf Non-Menthol 44 739 902
Menthol 7 112 0.62 0.27 1.41
Ages ≥70 years HTNc Non-Menthol 191 166 454
Menthol 61 36 0.98 0.52 1.83
MId Non-Menthol 49 268 403
Menthol 12 74 1.11 0.49 2.48
CHFe Non-Menthol 29 284 399
Menthol 9 77 0.76 0.27 2.14
COPDf Non-Menthol 71 243 399
Menthol 13 72 0.80 0.35 1.80
Ages 20 to <70 years HTNc Non-Menthol 1125 3457 6784
Menthol 642 1560 0.91 0.76 1.08
MId Non-Menthol 169 3961 6106
Menthol 54 1922 0.70 0.45 1.10
CHFe Non-Menthol 93 4159 6272
Menthol 42 1978 1.02 0.65 1.59
COPDf Non-Menthol 436 3681 6087
Menthol 189 1781 1.18 0.90 1.56
a

Models developed using purposeful selection of covariates [1]. The same covariates were included in the models run in the subdomains as were included in the model for the population, overall.

b

MI: Myocardial infarction; CHF: congestive heart failure; COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

c

Odds of hypertension diagnosis controlling for age, gender, BMI, education, ethnicity, gender*ethnicity, BMI*education.

d

Odds of myocardial infarction (MI) diagnosis controlling for age, age started smoking, PIR, education, race/ethnicity, BMI*PIR, race/ethnicity*education.

e

Odds of congestive heart failure (CHF) diagnosis controlling for age, BMI, PIR, education, BMI*education.

f

Odds of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease diagnosis controlling for age, gender, cigarettes smoked per day, days smoked in last 30, age started smoking, BMI, PIR, education, gender*days smoked in last 30, gender*race/ethnicity, education* days smoked in last 30, PIR*education, PIR*race/ethnicity.

Once we determined the covariates to include in the model (main effects), we explored all the possible interactions between the covariates (excluding cigarette type). We added all interaction terms with p-values less than or equal to 0.1 to the model individually, along with the main effect terms, and retained them if the relevant coefficients in the fully adjusted model were statistically significant, with p-values of 0.05 or less. We retained statistically significant interaction terms in the model only if one or both main effects were also statistically significant. We used domain variables to define strata according to race/ethnicities, genders, and age groups, but did not repeat the model building process. We then re-ran each model for individual cycles of the NHANES in order to determine if there were anomalous or secular patterns in risk of any outcome that might be overlooked in the combined analysis (Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4).

Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals: risk of hypertension among all smokers of menthol vs. non-menthol cigarettes according to three different models, individual cycles of the NHANES from 1999 through 2012.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 2

Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals: risk of myocardial infarction among all smokers of menthol vs. non-menthol cigarettes according to three different models, individual cycles of the NHANES from 1999 through 2012.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 3

Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals: risk of congestive heart failure among all smokers of menthol vs. non-menthol cigarettes according to three different models, individual cycles of the NHANES from 1999 through 2012.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 4

Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals: Risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among all smokers of menthol vs. non-menthol cigarettes according to three different models, individual cycles of the NHANES from 1999 through 2012.

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Dr. Vozoris for discussing the analytical methods he used, and graciously confirming the reporting error in the previously published paper. In addition, we thank Allison Franzen and Sara Oglesbee for their assistance in formatting the tables and text for submission. The editor of Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, and the reviewers assigned to this paper, provided highly useful recommendations; our paper was greatly improved by following their suggestions.

Footnotes

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Appendix A

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Appendix A. Supplementary material

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.

References

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