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OBJECTIVES: There is a gap in knowledge about the effects of smoking on overall infection risk in otherwise healthy populations, possibly leading to underestimation of the dangers of smoking. The present study aimed to examine the association of smoking with the risk of infections in a large cohort of healthy blood donors.METHODS: This cohort study used questionnaire and health register data from 127 831 Danish blood donors. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis was applied to estimate the association of current smoking with the risk of all-cause infection defined as hospital-based treatment for infection or filled prescriptions of antimicrobials stratified for age and adjusted for relevant confounders.RESULTS: Among 18 272 current smokers, 12 272 filled an antimicrobial prescription and 2035 received hospital-based treatment for infections. Among 101 974 non-smokers, 65 117 filled a prescription and 8501 received hospital-based treatment for infections. Smokers had a higher risk of all-cause infection than non-smokers (hazard ratio estimates were 1.27 in males and 1.33 in females for hospital-based treatment and 1.11 in males and up to 1.20 in females for filled prescriptions). Smoking was most strongly associated with an increased incidence of respiratory tract infection, abscesses, skin infection, and prescriptions for these ailments (hazard ratio up to 2.29). Furthermore, smokers' risk of filled prescriptions of broad-spectrum penicillin was increased (hazard ratio up to 1.96).CONCLUSIONS: Current smoking was strongly associated with the risk of hospital-based treatment of infection and filled prescriptions of antimicrobials in a large cohort of healthy individuals. These findings warrant an increased focus on infectious disease risk among smokers.

ObjectivesTo examine the level of loneliness experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark and to identify associated behavioural patterns and demographic factors.DesignCross-sectional cohort study.SettingIncludes Danish active and former blood donors.ParticipantsA questionnaire was sent to 124 307 active and former blood donors, of these a total of 50 968 participants completed the study questionnaire (response rate=41%).Primary and secondary outcome measuresSubjective experience of loneliness was measured using the 3-item University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (UCLA-3). Besides the UCLA-3, the respondents answered items on sociodemographic and economic characteristics, items on precautionary measures taken to avoid COVID-19 infection as well as on COVID-19 anxiety.ResultsThe participants indicated their experienced level of loneliness both before and during the pandemic. Comparing the two reports yielded a mean increase in loneliness scores of 14.1% (pwell-being, which comprised three questionnaire items related to emotional heath, physical health and happiness. A high score on the factorwell-beingwas associated with reduced levels of loneliness (coefficient=−0.47, 95% CI −0.49 to −0.46)). Furthermore, women were more likely than men to have experienced increased levels of loneliness during the pandemic (coefficient=0.27, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.29). Furthermore, a negative correlation between higher age and change in loneliness score was observed.ConclusionsThe findings document an increase in the level of experienced loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly affecting individuals with low well-being, women and younger individuals.

Purpose: Hyperhidrosis has been associated with a reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The role of common confounding factors of this association such as stress and socioeconomic status, however, remain largely unexplored, and may affect the management strategy for hyperhidrosis. Therefore, the study objective was to compare the HRQoL in individuals with and without hyperhidrosis while adjusting for confounders. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, data on the HRQoL measured by the short-form-12 questionnaire and self-reported hyperhidrosis were collected from the Danish Blood Donor Study-cohort. Data on international classification of disease-10 codes and redeemed prescriptions were collected from nationwide registries. Linear regression investigated the association between hyperhidrosis and HRQoL. Results: Total 2794 (9.1%) of 30,808 blood donors had self-reported hyperhidrosis and 284 (0.2%) of 122,225 had hospital diagnosed hyperhidrosis. Self-reported hyperhidrosis was associated with a reduced mental HRQoL (adjusted beta coefficient − 1.10; 95% confidence interval − 1.37, − 0.82; p < 0.001) and physical HRQoL (adjusted beta coefficient − 0.90; 95% confidence interval − 1.09, − 0.70; p < 0.001). Hospital diagnosed hyperhidrosis was associated with a reduced mental HRQoL (adjusted beta coefficient − 0.91; 95% confidence interval − 1.82, − 0.04; p = 0.049). Conclusion: Hyperhidrosis is associated with a reduced HRQoL, independently of confounders or mode of diagnosis. This supports an approach primarily targeting hyperhidrosis.

Hyperhidrosis has been associated with a reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The role of common confounding factors of this association such as stress and socioeconomic status, however, remain largely unexplored, and may affect the management strategy for hyperhidrosis. Therefore, the study objective was to compare the HRQoL in individuals with and without hyperhidrosis while adjusting for confounders.In this retrospective cohort study, data on the HRQoL measured by the short-form-12 questionnaire and self-reported hyperhidrosis were collected from the Danish Blood Donor Study-cohort. Data on international classification of disease-10 codes and redeemed prescriptions were collected from nationwide registries. Linear regression investigated the association between hyperhidrosis and HRQoL.Total 2794 (9.1%) of 30,808 blood donors had self-reported hyperhidrosis and 284 (0.2%) of 122,225 had hospital diagnosed hyperhidrosis. Self-reported hyperhidrosis was associated with a reduced mental HRQoL (adjusted beta coefficient - 1.10; 95% confidence interval - 1.37, - 0.82; p 0.001) and physical HRQoL (adjusted beta coefficient - 0.90; 95% confidence interval - 1.09, - 0.70; p 0.001). Hospital diagnosed hyperhidrosis was associated with a reduced mental HRQoL (adjusted beta coefficient - 0.91; 95% confidence interval - 1.82, - 0.04; p = 0.049).Hyperhidrosis is associated with a reduced HRQoL, independently of confounders or mode of diagnosis. This supports an approach primarily targeting hyperhidrosis.