Smoking and fatty liver disease in rural therapeutic area residents

Aim: Evaluate the relationship of Smoking with fatty liver disease (FLD) of various etiologies.Materials and Methods: Out of1568 residents of the rural therapeutic area agreed to participate in the study of 1123 residents of the rural medical area with negative markers of hepatitis B and / or C. The survey included the collection of anamnesis for smoking and alcohol consumption. An objective, laboratory (complete blood count, biochemical liver function tests) and instrumental examination, including ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs, were carried out.Results: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was detected in 247 (22.0%) people, alcoholic liver disease (ALD) — in 276 (24.6%) (p>0.05). 542 people smoked of the surveyed. Among patients with NAFLD, Smoking was 20.2%, their Smoking experience was 35.1±11.5 years, and the Smoking index was 24.5±10.9. Among patients with ALP, Smoking is higher-93.1% (p<0.05), Smoking experience is less — 29.5±9.8 years (p<0.05), as is the Smoking index of 21.8±7.7 (p<0.05). Among smokers, 56.8% had FLD, 83.8% of them were of alcoholic etiology, and 16.2% were non — alcoholic (p<0.05). Among non-smokers, compared with smokers, FLD was detected less frequently — in 37.2% of people (p<0.05), of which alcohol etiology — in 8.8% (p<0.05), non — alcoholic-in 91.2% (p<0.05).Conclusion: In the rural therapeutic area, 93.1% of ALD sufferers smoke, and 20.2% of NAFLD patients smoke (p<0.05). In patients with NAFLD, the duration of smoking was longer (35.1 ± 11.5) than in patients with ALD — 29.5 ± 9.8 years (p <0.05); the smoking index was 24.5 ± 10.9 and 21.8 ± 7.7 pack-years (p<0.05), respectively. In smokers, FLD was more common (56.8%) than in non-smokers (37.2%) (p<0.05). FLD in smokers was of alcoholic etiology more often (83.8%) than non-alcoholic (16.2%) (p<0.05), in non-smokers non-alcoholic etiology prevailed (91.2%) (p<0.05).

Motivation to smoking cessation in head and neck cancer and dysplasia patients in confrontation with the attitudes of otorhinolaryngologists in delivering anti-smoking therapies

Objectives The aim of the study was to determine the influence of oral, oropharyngeal, laryngeal and hypopharyngeal dysplasia and cancer diagnosis on motivation to smoking cessation in patients. Consecutively, we assessed the competence of ENT specialists in counseling anti-smoking therapies. Methods Questionnaire of expected support, Schneider motivation test and Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) were administered to 50 smoking patients. The online survey was collected from 152 ENT doctors. Results Mean FTND score was 4.58 and Heaviness of Smoking Index (HSI) was 3.1. Patients with oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer showed the greatest dependence to nicotine 7.67 and 5.25, respectively, and with hypopharyngeal cancer had the lowest 3.5, (p = 0.039). The ranges of HSI were significantly higher for younger patients (p = 0.036). 35 patients were adequately motivated to quit smoking, and their mean age was statistically higher (p = 0.05). Self-reported motivation to smoking cessation was 76%. Of 152 surveyed doctors, only 39% declared knowledge of the diagnostic and therapeutic cessation interventions. 75% showed interest in the training programs.

Social Network Characteristics and Smoking Index Among Smoking Cessation Outpatients in Kunming’s Grade-A Tertiary Hospitals in China: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

IntroductionThe success rate of smoking cessation outpatients remains modest. Previous studies have highlighted the importance of social networks for quitting smoking, yet there is a substantial lack of studies examining participants in outpatient smoking cessation programs, especially regarding their smoking index.AimWe aimed to identify the associations between the social network characteristics of smoking cessation outpatients and their smoking indexes. The association was analyzed with participants in Grade-A Tertiary Hospitals in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province in China.MethodsA multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted in Kunming in six randomly sampled Grade-A tertiary hospitals. Participants included 351 smoking cessation outpatients who provided data on cigarette smoking and social networks. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the association between social network characteristics and smoking index across outpatients. Strong associations were identified using adjusted odds ratios and a 95% confidence interval.ResultsLarge network size (AOR=1.79, 95%CI=0.99, 3.86), having children (AOR = 6.35, 95%CI = 2.26, 19.86), and at least one highly influential person in the network (AOR = 2.74, 95% CI =1.13, 7.01)were all associated with the risk of a high smoking index. However, having drinking friends (AOR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.14, 0.56), non-smoking and non-drinking friends in the network (AOR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.21, 0.88), and a network member who provided health advice (AOR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.11, 1.35) were associated with a lower risk of a high smoking index.The results were sustained even after adjusting for demographic details.ConclusionsThe study findings suggest the importance of social network characteristics for smoking cessation physicians when formulating a personalized smoking cessation plan for outpatients.

Eosinophilic inflammation in COPD: prevalence and clinical phenotype in COPD patients

Background Eosinophilic COPD appears to be a distinct patient subgroup with a corticosteroid treatment response. Furthermore, some, but not all, studies have shown that higher blood eosinophil counts in COPD patients predict a higher exacerbation rate in the future. To date, to our knowledge, no population-based study has the prevalence of Eosinophilic COPD patients and their characteristics in Egypt. Aims To study prevalence of eosinophilic COPD and describe its phenotypic characteristics. Methods a cross sectional study in which we collected 112 COPD patients attending Ain Shams University outpatient clinics, to find the prevalence of eosinophilic COPD in Egypt and describe its phenotypic characteristics. Results the prevalence of eosinophilic COPD is 26.7% and there was a significant relationship between the eosinophilic COPD patients and BMI and smoking index, while there was no significant relationship between the eosinophilic COPD patients as regards age, sex, CAT score. Conclusion COPD is present in many apparent healthy persons; the prevalence of eosinophilic COPD in Egypt is 26.7%. COPD phenotype is more common in patients with higher BMI with higher smoking index and longer duration of smoking.

Risk factors for pneumonitis in advanced extrapulmonary cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

Background Immune-mediated pneumonitis has a high mortality rate; however, little is known about the related risk factors. We analyzed the risk factors for pneumonitis, such as smoking and lung metastasis (LM), among extrapulmonary primary tumors. Methods We retrospectively collected data of 110 patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) (nivolumab/pembrolizumab) for extrapulmonary primary tumors at the Shiga University of Medical Science Hospital, between January 2015 and December 2019. The frequency of pneumonitis was evaluated based on the time between the start of ICI treatment and the onset of symptomatic or all pneumonitis. The severity of pneumonitis was graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5.0. We analyzed the risk factors, such as the absence or presence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) and lung metastases (LMs), or other clinical factors, including smoking status before ICI administration. Results The Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that the smoking index and presence of ILD were significant factors for an increased rate of all pneumonitis (hazard ratio [HR] = 20.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 20.0–20.4; p = 0.02 and HR = 4.3, 95% CI = 1.2–12.1; p = 0.03, respectively). LM was significantly related to an increased rate of symptomatic pneumonitis (HR = 6.8, 95% CI = 1.3–124.2; p = 0.02). Conclusions Smoking index and ILD were the significant risk factors for ICI-induced pneumonitis. LM was a significant risk factor for ICI-induced symptomatic pneumonitis. Therefore, pre-screening for ILD and LM and the recognition of patients’ smoking histories are important for determining the risk of ICI-induced pneumonitis and allowing safe ICI administration.

Features of respiratory diseases development at separate and combined exposure to welding aerosol and tobacco smoke

Introduction. Welding aerosol is one of the most common industrial fumes, and tobacco smoke is the most common behavioural risk factor for developing respiratory diseases. The aim of the study was to investigate the features of the structure and prevalence of respiratory diseases under separate and combined exposure to welding aerosol and tobacco smoke. Materials and methods. The results of periodic medical examinations of workers of underground mines in the Murmansk region and a special assessment of working conditions at these enterprises were studied. Results. Chronic respiratory diseases were detected in 176 (32.0%) of 550 surveyed electric and gas welders and more often in smokers than non-smokers: 39.8% and 19.9%, p <0.001. Compared with the control group, electric gas welders had a higher prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p = 0.033) and bronchial asthma (p = 0.043).Smoking increased the risk of nasal septum curvature with respiratory dysfunction (relative risk (RR) = 1.78; confidence interval (CI) 1.10-2.88; p = 0.016), chronic bronchitis (RR = 3.33; CI 1.51-7.34; p = 0.001) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (RR = 6.47; CI 0.83-50.2; p = 0.039). The prevalence of respiratory diseases among electric and gas welders depended on exposure to tobacco smoke. Differences with non-smokers appeared at a smoking index of 10-19.9 packs/years. The risk of developing respiratory pathology increased with an increase in the smoking index for every ten-pack / years. At the same time, the length of service did not significantly affect the development of respiratory diseases in non-smoking workers. Conclusion. The data obtained show that smoking cessation should be a mandatory and central element of programs to prevent the development of respiratory diseases in workers exposed to welding aerosols.

Smoking is Associated with Lung Adenocarcinoma and Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression through Inducing Distinguishing lncRNA Alterations in Different Genders

Background: Smoking participates in pathogenesis of lung cancer. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play some specific roles during development of lung cancers. Objective: To investigate effects of smoking on lncRNA alterations in lung cancer. Methods: There are 522 lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and 504 lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) participants. Clinical and lncRNA genetic data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. LncRNA alterations were analyzed in lung cancer patients. Smoking category and packs were evaluated. Correlations between smoking and LncRNA alterations were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to determine overall survival and disease free survival. Results: There are more non-smokers in LUSC than in LUAD. In both LUAD and LUSC, smoking could increase total mutation counts and fraction of copy number alterations. Smoking index positively correlated with total mutations in LUAD, but not in LUSC. Smoking could trigger lncRNA alterations both in LUAD and LUSC. Smoking regulated different lncRNA between male and female. EXOC3-AS1 and LINC00603 alterations were positively correlated with smoking index in male LUAD smokers. In female LUAD smokers, smoking index was positively correlated with SNHG15, TP53TG1 and LINC01600 and negatively with LINC00609 and PTCSC3. In both male and female LUSC patients, smoking increased or decreased several lncRNA alterations. DGCR5 alteration increased in male LUSC than in female LUSC patients. In female LUSC patients, LOH12CR2 alteration was positively correlated with smoking index. Conclusions: Smoking promoted LUAD and LUSC development by affecting different lncRNA alterations in different genders.

Dynamics of the prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in the European part of the Russian Federation

Objective: to estimate the prevalence in the dynamic of physical inactivity, overweight and obesity, smoking and alcohol abuse in a representative sample of the European part of the Russian Federation. Materials and methods: the population of eight subjects of the European part of Russia was randomized in 2002. The resulting sample was examined by local doctors. The resulting sample included 19,503 respondents who were examined by local doctors in 2002 and 2017. Results: from 2002 to 2017 the prevalence of smoking has decreased from 23,1 to 20,5% (р < 0,001) (47,9 – 42,6% (р < 0,001) among men and 4,8 – 4,5% (р = 0,323 among women)). The smoking index among men has decreased from 18,8 to 17,8 (р = 0,024) and from women increased from 7,7 to 10,6, р < 0,001. The prevalence of alcohol abuse has decreased from 32,2 to 22,3% (р < 0,001) (51,6 – 39,0% (р < 0,001) among men and 17,4 – 10,1% (р < 0,001) among women). Average dose of ethanol, among drinkers has changed from 84,0 ± 94,4 ml to 75,4 ± 75,5 ml (р < 0,001) (120,6 ± 111,9 – 97,7 ± 85,2 (р < 0,001) among men and 44,7 ± 45,3 – 46,0 ± 46,3 (р < 0,001) among women). Percentage of respondents who are overweight or obese has increased from 46,9 to 60,0% (р < 0,001) (41,6 – 58,2% (р < 0,001) among men and 50,9 – 31,3% (р < 0,001) among women). Although the prevalence of inactivity has decreased from 83,2 to 81,0% (р < 0,001) (79,8 – 78,4% р = 0,045 among men and 85,7 – 83,0% (р < 0,001) among women), the proportion of people without physical activity has increased from 71,5 to 74,0% (р < 0,001), because the proportion of people with low physical activity has decreased. Conclusion: the prevalence of bad habits in Russia is decreasing, but the proportion of people who have inactivity, overweight and obesity is increasing. These facts will not significantly reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in Russsia, and require optimization of population prevention programs that will reduce the prevalence of inactivity, overweight and obesity in society.

Effect of smoking on arterial stiffness in men of working age

The objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence of smoking and its influence on the parameters of arterial stiff ness in men of working age.Material and methods. The study included 86 men aged 37.6 ± 7.6. The prevalence and intensity of smoking was assessed. Among the experimental subjects, 48 people were selected and divided into two groups (smokers and non-smokers) comparable due to other cardiovascular risk factors. In both groups, arterial rigidity was studied by volumetric sphygmography.Results and discussion. The prevalence of tobacco smoking was 46.5%, and half of the smokers had a smoking index greater than 10 packs/years. The CAVI index in smokers was 7.0 ± 1.2; in non-smokers — 6.3 ± 0.5 (p = 0.02). CAVI was increased above the age limit in 22% of smokers, and there were no deviations from the norm in the other group. There was a positive correlation of the CAVI index with both smoking duration (r = 0.67, p < 0.0001) and the pack/years index (r = 0.36, p = 0.04).Conclusion. The prevalence of tobacco smoking among men of working age remains high: about half of them are smokers. Every fifth male smoker has an increase in vascular stiffness above the age norm, which may indicate vascular remodeling.