Smoking, apolipoprotein E genotype, and early onset of coronary heart disease

Background We examined the association between smoking, apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotype, and early onset of coronary heart disease (CHD). Design and methods Smoking behaviour and ApoE genotype of 904 patients with CH D aged 30-70 years were assessed with respect to age at onset of CHD. Results The adjusted odds ratio for early onset of CHD (<= 55 years) was 1.86 (95% confidence interval, 1.31-2.62) for smokers compared to non-smokers. The ApoE genotype had no significant influence and there was no significant interaction between ApoE genotype and smoking. Conclusion We found smoking but not ApoE genotype to be an independent risk factor for early onset of CHD. (c) 2005 The European Society of Cardiology.