30 Jan 2025 • A large-scale study of over 430 million participants has shown that early-life exposure to tobacco smoke significantly elevates the risk of developing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Key Findings

• Maternal smoking around birth increased IPF risk by 26%, while individuals who started smoking in childhood had a 3.65-fold higher risk compared to never-smokers.
• The study also found that genetic susceptibility, particularly in those with high genetic risk, compounded the effect of tobacco exposure, leading to a 16-fold increased risk.
• Telomere length and phenotypic age mediated around 10% of this association, highlighting the role of accelerated biological aging.

These findings highlight the lasting impact of early tobacco exposure on lung health and the importance of targeted interventions to prevent smoking initiation and reduce IPF risk.

Source: ATS Journal | Read Full Story