Pack year
Pack year
Pack year (pronunciation: pak yir) is a term used in medicine and epidemiology to measure the amount of smoking an individual has done over a long period of time. It is calculated by multiplying the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day by the number of years the person has smoked.
Etymology
The term "pack year" is derived from the common measurement of cigarettes sold in a pack, and the time measurement of a year. It was first used in medical literature in the 20th century as a way to quantify smoking exposure.
Calculation
The calculation of pack years is straightforward. If a person has smoked an average of one pack of cigarettes per day for a year, that equals one pack year. If a person has smoked half a pack per day for two years, that also equals one pack year. The formula is:
- Pack years = (Packs smoked per day) x (Years smoked)
Usage
Pack years are used in medical research and clinical practice to assess an individual's risk of developing diseases associated with smoking, such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cardiovascular disease. The higher the pack year number, the greater the risk.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pack year
- Wikipedia's article - Pack year
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