Abstract
Introduction: Dyspnoea is a prevalent symptom associated with significantly reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Accurate estimates of the severity and intensity of dyspnoea using standard tools in the clinic are important for the assessment of the severity of symptoms at later follow ups. Objectives: The current study had two aims. First, we sought to determine one-year changes in dyspnoea and health-related quality of life in patients with cardiac or respiratory diseases. Second, we sought to analyse the long-term associations between one-dimensional measurement methods and a generic instrument reflecting the multi-dimensionality of dyspnoea using the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Methods: We prospectively recruited adult dyspnoeic patients in a rural primary health care centre. Participants were assessed for demographics, symptoms, medications, and N-terminal B-Type natriuretic pro-peptide (Nt-proBNP) level, and underwent spirometry and echocardiography. Results were analysed at baseline and one-year after enrolment. Based on the assessment results, we categorized the patients into one of three groups as the underlying disorder for dyspnoea: cardiovascular, pulmonary or psychiatric disease. Results: The ordinal scales [New York Heart Association (NYHA), modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) and Verbal Rating Scale (VRS)] indicated a slight but not significant decrease in dyspnoea severity, whereas the VAS showed a significant reduction in dyspnoea severity (p = 0.001) overall as well as in the cardiovascular group. By contrast, patients with pulmonary disease showed no improvement. HRQoL, as determined by the eight domains of SF-36, was unchanged, and dyspnoea severity had no impact on the worsening of health status. The correlation coefficient by test-re-test (reliability) of values at baseline and at the end of the study was highly significant. Conclusion: As appropriate measurements for the assessment of dyspnoea using one-dimensional scales, both mMRC and VAS should be considered for measuring changes in dyspnoea severity. VAS should be considered particularly for long-term changes in dyspnoeic patients with cardiovascular disorders. Changes in the different domains of the SF-36 were not seen after one year.
Highlights
Early B-cell factor 1 (EBF1) gene participates in the development of the central nervous system and is expressed in adipocytes and olfactory neuroepithelium, which is intimately linked with the emotion and reward system in adults
It could be linked to tobacco addiction Objective: The aim of this study was to determine probable association between the EBF1 gene rs4704963 SNP (T>C) with smoking habits in a population of patients with multiple coronary risk factors (CRF) with and without acute coronary syndromes (ACS)
Among the 17 patients with the SNP detected, 16 (94.1%) were smokers compared to 54% of smokers in those patients without the SNP detected (p = 0.002). In those patients with ACS and smoking habits, the SNP was detected in 21.3% versus 0% in those with ACS and no history of smoking habits (p= 0.029) Conclusion: A significant association was observed between the EBF1 gene rs4704963 SNP (T> C) with smoking habits in patients with ACS and in those with CRF without ACS
Summary
B-cell factor 1 (EBF1) gene participates in the development of the central nervous system and is expressed in adipocytes and olfactory neuroepithelium, which is intimately linked with the emotion and reward system in adults. For this reason, it could be linked to tobacco addiction Objective: The aim of this study was to determine probable association between the EBF1 gene rs4704963 SNP (T>C) with smoking habits in a population of patients with multiple coronary risk factors (CRF) with and without acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The contribution of genetic determinants in nicotine addiction has been a subject of research for many years, with evidence about the determining role of some genes in such addiction.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.