Comprehensive analysis of smoking as a risk factor and its prognostic implications in patients with deep neck infections

This study explored the potential association between smoking and the development of DNI. The findings demonstrated that advanced age, elevated CRP levels, and the involvement of multiple deep neck spaces were significant risk factors for prolonged hospitalization. Multivariate analysis further identified the involvement of three or more deep neck spaces as an independent predictor of extended hospital stay among smokers. Collectively, these results suggest that smokers with DNI exhibit a worse clinical prognosis, which may be attributed to smoking-induced impairments in immune function and upper respiratory tract integrity.