Both inflammation and smoking are independent predictors of morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV (PLHIV). As smoking burden is likely to exacerbate inflammation, we tested the hypothesis that higher intensity and longer duration of smoking are positively associated with C-reactive protein (CRP, an inflammatory marker) among 284 PLHIV in Kathmandu, Nepal. We measured smoking status, intensity of smoking, smoking duration, and CRP concentrations. In total, 22.9% of never smokers, 24.3% former smokers, and 34.1% current smokers had high CRP (> 3 mg/l). The median intensity and duration of smoking were 12 (cigarettes/day) and 19 years, respectively. Intensity of smoking (beta for increase in number of cigarettes/day: β = 0.245; p = 0.017), smoking duration (beta for 1-year increase in smoking: β = 0.341; p = 0.013), and pack-years of smoking (beta for 1-pack-years of smoking increase: β = 0.351; p = 0.002) were each positively associated with CRP concentrations. While quitting is important, reducing the intensity and duration of smoking until quitting might be helpful in reducing the levels of inflammation, thereby in mitigating HIV-related harms.

中文翻译：

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与艾滋病毒感染者的吸烟强度和持续时间有关的炎症。

炎症和吸烟都是艾滋病毒感染者（PLHIV）发病率和死亡率的独立预测因子。由于吸烟负担可能加剧炎症，因此我们检验了以下假设：尼泊尔加德满都的284名艾滋病毒携带者中，较高的强度和更长的吸烟时间与C​​反应蛋白（CRP，一种炎症标记物）正相关。我们测量了吸烟状况，吸烟强度，吸烟时间和CRP浓度。总共有22.9％的从未吸烟者，24.3％的以前吸烟者和34.1％的当前吸烟者具有较高的CRP（> 3 mg / l）。吸烟的中位数强度和持续时间分别为12（香烟/天）和19年。吸烟强度（每天增加卷烟的贝塔系数：β= 0.245； p = 0.017），吸烟时间（吸烟一年增加的贝塔系数：β= 0.341； p = 0.013），和每包年吸烟（每增加一包年吸烟的beta：β= 0.351； p = 0.002）均与CRP浓度呈正相关。虽然戒烟很重要，但减少吸烟强度和持续时间直到戒烟可能有助于减少炎症，从而减轻与HIV相关的伤害。