Higher Cigarette Consumption Research Articles

Inhalation of 210Po and 210Pb from cigarette smoking in Poland

The carcinogenic effect of 210Po and 210Pb with respect to lung cancer is an important problem in many countries with very high cigarette consumption. Poland has one of the highest consumptions of cigarettes in the world. The results of 210Po determination on the 14 most frequently smoked brands of cigarettes which constitute over 70% of the total cigarette consumption in Poland are presented and discussed. Moreover, the polonium content in cigarette smoke was estimated on the basis of its activity in fresh tobaccos, ash, fresh filters and post-smoking filters. The annual effective doses were calculated on the basis of 210Po and 210Pb inhalation with the cigarette smoke. The results of this work indicate that Polish smokers who smoke one pack (20 cigarettes) per day inhale from 20 to 215 mBq of 210Po and 210Pb each. The mean values of the annual effective dose for smokers were estimated to be 35 and 70 μSv from 210Po and 210Pb, respectively. For persons who smoke two packs of cigarettes with higher radionuclide concentrations, the effective dose is much higher (471 μSv yr −1) in comparison with the intake in diet. Therefore, cigarettes and the absorption through the respiratory system are the main sources and the principal pathway of 210Po and 210Pb intake of smokers in Poland.

Vitamin and Nutritional Status in Cuban Smokers and Nonsmokers in the Context of an Emerging Epidemic Neuropathy

A prospective survey was conducted in a random sample of smokers (SMO) and non-smokers (NON) men living in Havana. The aim of the survey was to investigate metabolic and dietary parameters discriminating between SMO and NON volunteers, which could explain underlying mechanisms to the higher risk of Epidemic Neuropathy (51,000 reported cases in Cuba from late 1991) previously demonstrated in the Cuban smoker. Forty three blood markers were determined and dietary intakes evaluated during 4 seasonal periods. alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, total carotenoids and riboflavin blood concentrations were lower in SMO vs. NON subjects. Activities of glutathione reductase and butryrylcholinesterase were lower in the SMO group, as did total protein levels. Copper and thiocyanates were higher in SMO subjects. Most of the dietary parameters did not differ between the two groups of volunteers. Low biologically available quantities of carotenoids and riboflavin from low dietary intakes and depletion through smoking would be the main precipitating factors of Epidemic Neuropathy. Protein depletion and copper delivery via tobacco smoke, sunlight exposure, level of physical activity and high consumption of cigarettes, in a context of low dietary supplies concerning especially B vitamins, were probably aggravating factors through oxidative stress and impairment of cyanide detoxification.

Predictors of continued smoking over 25 years of follow-up in the normative aging study.

This study tested the hypothesis that high daily cigarette consumption and addiction to smoking are risk factors for the long-term continuation of smoking. Using longitudinal data from 986 male smokers, we entered cigarettes per day, psychological addiction, age, and education into a survival analysis as predictors of continued smoking over a 25-year period. Younger men and those who smoked more cigarettes per day were more likely to remain smokers in the long term. Addiction and education level were not significant predictors of continued smoking. Heavier smokers are more at risk than lighter smokers for long-term smoking. It is therefore very important to provide smoking cessation treatments for heavy smokers as early as possible after the initiation of smoking.

Quality of life, functional disability and lifestyle among subgroups of fibromyalgia patients: the significance of anxiety and depression.

This study explored the significance of anxiety and depression in quality of life, functional disability and lifestyle among fibromyalgia patients. Functional disability was defined by subjective work ability and activity-related discomfort. Lifestyle reflected habits of physical activity, regularity of meals, smoking and patterns of drinking coffee and alcohol. Members of two county divisions of fibromyalgia patients (N = 322) were investigated. Owing to colinearity between anxiety and depression scores, extreme groups were defined according to high vs. low anxiety and depression scores. Two-thirds of the initial sample were excluded by this approach which permitted a 2 x 2 factorial split-plot MANCOVA for the assessment of main effects and interaction of anxiety and depression upon quality of life, functional disability and lifestyle. Main effects of anxiety and depression were significant for index scores on activity-related discomforts, subjective work ability and quality of life, whereas depression was also significantly associated with regularity of meals. Anxiety and depression interacted to yield relatively high consumption of coffee and cigarettes among the anxious and depressed subgroup, and this effect emerged only after the elimination of confounding effects of age and duration of the fibromyalgia disease.

Patterns and predictors of tobacco consumption among women.

The study examines the patterns and predictors of cigarette consumption among 920 female smokers aged 16-49 who formed part of the British Household Panel Survey, a representative survey of households in Britain. The study assesses the influence of three key factors: socio-economic circumstances, psychological health and partner's smoking status. The study confirms that female smokers are more disadvantaged than the broader population of women, both with respect to their socio-economic circumstances and their psychological health. Within this disadvantaged group, higher cigarette consumption was linked to greater socio-economic disadvantage and poorer psychological health but not partner's smoking status. Age and pregnancy status also had an independent effect on consumption. Of these factors, being in poor psychological health was the single most powerful predictor of high rates of consumption. The implications of the findings for health promotion are discussed.

Panic disorder subtypes: differential responses to CO2 challenge.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of a differential sensitivity to CO2 in patients diagnosed with panic disorder subtypes that were defined by the presence of prominent respiratory symptoms. The authors used a 35% CO2 and 65% O2 mixture as a challenge agent. Fifty-one unmedicated subjects with DSM-III-R panic disorder, who were divided into respiratory (N = 28) and nonrespiratory (N = 23) subtypes by their symptom profiles, underwent a CO2 challenge procedure. Patients in the two groups were compared with regard to physiological and psychological measures, pulmonary function tests, panic rates, and smoking habits. The patients in the respiratory group were significantly more sensitive to CO2 than were the patients in the nonrespiratory group. The respiratory group also had higher scores on the Panic and Agoraphobia Scale and had a longer duration of illness; both of these factors can be indicators of illness severity. In addition, the respiratory group's higher cigarette consumption (mean = 12.46 package-years, SD = 2.49) may have been a contributory factor not only for illness severity but also for the pathogenesis of panic disorder. The CO2 challenge procedure appears to be a good dissection tool in the understanding of different subtypes of panic disorder. Moreover, there may be a more specific association with prominent respiratory symptom subtype and CO2 hypersensitivity.

Influence of smoking and drinking habits on salivary cortisol levels

The present study assessed the association of smoking and drinking habits on salivary cortisol levels in a sample of 106 young teenagers. The gender, psychopathological disorders (ICD-10 criteria), and psychological stress variables were considered. Results showed that cortisol levels were significantly higher for moderate to heavy smokers (10 or more cigarettes per day) than for light and non-smokers. This effect was more remarkable in females than in males. Psychopathology was a factor influencing cortisol levels mainly in males. While high stress and elevated daily consumption of cigarettes were significantly associated with salivary cortisol levels, drinking habits did not influence these concentrations.

The dose-response relationship between cigarette consumption, biochemical markers and risk of lung cancer.

The relationship between the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the incidence of lung cancer is linear but, from the multistage model of carcinogenesis, it should be quadratic (upwards curving). We investigated this anomaly in a study of 11,403 male never smokers and current smokers in whom carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) was measured in all and serum cotinine in 1175. The relationship between the biochemical markers and the reported number of cigarettes per day was approximately linear up to 20 cigarettes per day as expected. But above 20 cigarettes per day the marker levels increased less steeply and were 35% lower than expected in men who smoked more than 40 cigarettes per day. Less smoke is inhaled from each cigarette by men with high daily cigarette consumption than by men with lower consumption. Allowance for this transforms the observed linear dose-response relationship into one consistent with the expected quadratic relationship. The anomaly is explained by the observation that heavier smokers inhale less smoke from each cigarette.

Essential fatty acids and abnormal involuntary movements in the general male population: a study of men born in 1933

Spontaneous and tardive dyskinesias were studied in a random population sample of 446 men, aged 59 years. Dyskinesia, defined as an AIMS score of at least 2 in any body part, was seen in 15.1% ( n= 74). Dyskinetic men had a higher cigarette consumption, and they had higher frequencies of psychiatric morbidity and exposure to neuroleptics. Dyskinesia was also associated with several abnormalities in EFA concentrations in plasma, but the most consistent finding was the low arachidonic acid levels in phospholipids, triglycerides and cholesterol esters. In a logistic regression model, cigarette consumption ( P < 0.02), exposure to neuroleptics ( P < 0.01), and low arachidonic acid levels in the phospholipid fraction ( P < 0.0001) were independently associated with dyskinesia.

Pregnancy, ultrasound screening and smoking attitudes.

This questionnaire study was performed to evaluate screening as a tool to help reduce smoking among pregnant women and their partners. Three hundred women and their partners coming for ultrasound screening were asked to participate. Twenty-two percent of the women and 21% of the men were smoking regularly before pregnancy. Fifty-four percent of the women changed their smoking habits after knowledge of the pregnancy and before the scan. The corresponding figure for men was 19%. Before the scan 54% of the women and 49% of the men estimated their ability to stop smoking later in pregnancy as higher than 50%. The scan itself did not increase this figure. Among women with high consumption of cigarettes, the estimated ability to stop smoking was low.

Physician advice to quit smoking: results from the 1990 California Tobacco Survey.

To estimate the percentage of California smokers who visit physicians each year and thus determine the extent of the opportunity for physicians to advise their smoking patients to quit; to identify sociodemographic and other characteristics related to smokers' reporting that advice was given; and to look for evidence that physician advice influences quitting behavior. Data were collected as part of the 1990 California Tobacco Survey, a large (n = 24,296) population-based telephone survey. 9,796 current smokers, including 5,559 daily smokers who had visited a physician in the preceding year. Two-thirds of all smokers had visited a physician in the year before the interview, but only about 50% of Hispanic and Asian smokers had done so. Multivariate analysis showed that advice at the last visit was independently related to older age, higher cigarette consumption, and poorer perceived health. Compared with smokers never advised to quite by a physician, those advised to quit at the last visit were 1.61 (95% confidence interval, 1.31-1.98) times more likely to report a quit attempt in the preceding year and 1.90 (95% confidence interval, 1.45-2.48) times more likely to be preparing to quit; however, those advised previously but not at the last visit showed no more quitting activity than did smokers never advised to quit. Physicians have considerable opportunity to reach all demographic subgroups of the population, but the nature of the subgroups advised most (those who are older, have high consumption of cigarettes, or have poor health) suggests that physicians tend to treat such advice as a therapeutic rather than a preventive intervention. Physician advice at the most recent visit encourages patients to think about quitting and probably leads to quit attempts. Thus, it is vital that physicians perform the simple intervention of advising every smoker to quit at every visit.

Adaptation to permanent night work: the number of consecutive work nights and motivated choice.

To study the effects of different patterns of days on and days off duty within a permanent night shift schedule, we studied two groups of female permanent night nurses, one (n = 42) working 'many' nights in a row, and the other (n = 36) working 'few' nights in a row. The groups were matched for several important moderating variables. All nurses were interviewed individually, and they answered several questionnaires. A MANOVA revealed no statistically significant differences in subjective health between the two groups. Nor was any difference found for satisfaction measures. The many-night group however seemed to put more effort into dealing with their schedule; they used more active coping, had a higher cigarette consumption, and engaged more in sport. They also stayed one hour less in bed during the day after the last night shift. It is concluded that neither schedule was a clear threat to subjective health because the acceptance of permanent night work was the result of a motivated choice and because social support was high. The differences between the two schedules were not large enough to suggest that one of them should be favoured over the other.

Antigen-specific Plaques Formation of Cultured Mononuclear Cells in Head and Neck Cancer

Antigen-specific antibody production in vitro from peripheral blood mononuclear cells was studied for the assessment of the immune competence of patients with head and neck cancer. Optimal culture conditions were studied using inactivated Staphylococcus aureus and a saturation with IL-1 during B cell activation and pooled human AB serum on day 2. After passage of the mononuclear cells through sephadex G-10 columns, a significant increase in the antigen-specific antibody production was observed. In healthy donors a significant reduction of the antigen-specific antibody production according to the abuse of alcohol and/or cigarette smoking was detectable. Interestingly, high alcohol consumption resulted in a more pronounced decrease of the antigen-specific antibody production in vitro than excessive cigarette smoking. Patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck who are considered to be most immunodeficient did not show any antigen-specific antibody production in vitro upon activation with sheep red blood cells in the presence of Interleukin-1 (IL-1). After filtration of mononuclear cells from peripheral bloodover sephadex G-10 beads, two thirds of the patients studied became stimulable. This increase in the antigen-specific antibody production in vitro was significant, though not as dramatic as in the age- and sex-matched control groups. Interestingly, the antigen-specific antibody production raised almost to the same level as that measured in healthy donors with high alcohol abuse and cigarette consumption.

Polydipsia and hyponatremia in psychiatric patients: Challenge to creative nursing care

Among patients with psychiatric disorders, especlally schizophrenia, a pattern of extreme polydipsia and polyuria sometimes emerges, usually without readily identifiable medical causes. Hyponatremia may develop and progress to water intoxication, with symptoms including restlessness, confusion, selzures, or even death. We review the clinical features and pathophysiology of this syndrome and discuss nursing roles in identifying and managing patients with polydipsia and hyponatremia. While the causes of polydipsia and hyponatremia are unclear, relevant factors seem to include a possible dysfunction in central nervous system (CNS) thirst and osmoregulatory centers, the inappropriate secretion of or senstivity to antidiuretic hormone (ADH), and psychoactive drugs. Management techniques for affected patients concentrate on careful observation, fluid restriction, and the minimization of possible exacerbating factors such as high neuroleptic dosage and cigarette consumption.

Weight change among participants in a large sample minimal contact smoking relapse prevention trial

Weight at baseline and posttreatment was measured for 1096 participants in a smoking relapse prevention trial: 42.1% maintained their weight, 42.5% gained more than 1 kg and 15.4% lost more than 1 kg during the eight-week treatment program. Abstainers ( n = 383) gained more than four times the weight gained by relapsers ( n = 713) (Abstainers: 1.6 kg, Relapsers: 0.4 kg, p < .0001). In order to examine the anorexic properties of nicotine gum, Abstainers were classified into nicotine gum user and non-user categories. Users gained significantly less weight than non-users although the difference was small (Users: 1.1 kg, Non-users: 1.8 kg, p < .004). A dose-response relationship was observed between number of cigarettes smoked per day at baseline and weight gain. Higher cigarette consumption was associated with increased weight gain in both gum user ( p < .004), and non-user groups ( p < .02). There was no significant difference in weight gain between Abstainers who later relapsed at 6 months and those who maintained abstinence ( p < .29). Although the impact of nicotine gum on weight gain was small, this apparent property of the substance may be useful in encouraging cessation among smokers who perceive weight gain as a potential stumbling block to success.

Antigenspezifische Antikörperbildung zur Bestimmung der Immunreaktion von Patienten mit Kopf-Halskarzinomen

Head and neck cancer patients are considered to be immunodeficient. The immunological reaction, however, has been analysed only in unspecific systems or by cell surface markers. For the determination of the functional immunoreactivity of donors and patients with head and neck cancer the antigen-specific antibody production in vitro has been studied. Mononuclear cells from peripheral blood were stimulated with sheep red blood cells and after 5-7 days the antigen-specific immune response was measured in the presence of complement by red blood cell lysis. For maximal antibody production in vitro, the human lymphocytes were activated by Staphylococcus aureus and Interleukin-1 (IL-1). The IL-1 concentration was measured by the proliferation of murine (C3H/HeJ) thymocytes. Without IL-1 and macrophages which had been separated by plastic adherence no antigen-specific antibody formation was observed. As the cultures were saturated with IL-1 and as the antigen-specific antibody production reached the same level even in the absence of macrophages, the antibody formation is not influenced by an altered macrophage function. Patients with head and neck cancer showed in vitro a significant reduction of the antigen-specific antibody production to no longer detectable values. In addition age-matched, healthy donors with high alcohol and cigarette abuse had a significant decrease in their antigen-specific antibody production compared to controls without high alcohol and cigarette consumption.

Interleukin 2 secretion by lymphocytes of patients with squamous cell cancer of the oropharynx or larynx

The various strengthening influences of interleukin-2 (IL-2) on the immunological system is of intrinsic importance to tumour defense. IL-2 concentration can be measured by the determination of the IL-2 dependent CTLL cell line in a micro-Elisa-assay. The IL-2 secretion is dose dependent after stimulation with the mitogens phytohaemagglutinin A (PHA), phorbolester (PMA) or the monoclonal T cell antibody OKT3. Maximal IL-2 release is achieved by concomitant activation with phytohaemagglutinin A (PHA) and phorbolester (PMA). As controls healthy donors with low and high alcohol and cigarette consumption were used. In patients with cancer of the oropharynx, a significant reduction in the IL-2 secretion was observed when compared with the larynx cancer group or with healthy donors. This might suppose an immunological influence of the squamous cell carcinoma which grows in the oropharynx in close proximity to lymphatic cells and vessels which are numerously present in the tonsillar ring of Waldeyer.

Prevalence of coronary heart disease risk factors in an urban black population: The Minnesota Heart Survey, 1985

A cross-sectional study of a sample of Minnesota black urban residents was conducted in 1985 to develop cardiovascular risk profiles. Participants were evaluated during a home interview ( N = 1,254, 78% participation) and a survey center visit ( N = 1,052, 65% participation). Black men had significantly higher mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure than Black women (129.7/80.9 vs 124.8/77.3, respectively). Age-specific values for systolic and diastolic blood pressure were greater in men than women for all age categories. Men were more likely to have uncontrolled hypertension or to be unaware of their hypertension than women in all age categories. Women had significantly higher mean total and highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol values than men (202.1 and 56.1 mg/dl vs 193.2 and 48.7 mg/dl, respectively). Age-specific values for total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol values were greater in women than men for all age categories except the 35–44 age group. Men were significantly more likely to be current cigarette smokers (43.3% vs 33.2%) and to have higher cigarette consumption per day (17 vs 14) than women. The major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (with the exception of smoking) were lower in the Minnesota study in 1985 than in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 1976–1980. These lower levels may also be a component in the decline of cardiovascular disease mortality rates among Blacks.

Coronary risk profile of young soldiers with coronary heart disease.

In a retrospective study of coronary risk factors in young soldiers with coronary heart disease (CHD), designed to explain why junior ranks in the British Army have a higher mortality rate from CHD than comparable British civilians, high prevalence of heavy cigarette smoking was found to be the major discriminant. In general, young men with CHD have higher prevalence of cigarette smoking, and a higher per capita consumption than older men with CHD. They also have higher cholesterol levels, perhaps resulting from more symptomatic cases of familial hypercholesterolaemia in the younger age group. Young affected soldiers are more obese than young affected civilians and smoke more cigarettes (24% smoke 40 or more per day). This may be related to the reduced cost of cigarettes to soldiers in some parts of the world. In the British Army, the expected protective effect of physical fitness is overwhelmed by the deleterious effect of high cigarette consumption.

Effects of cigarette smoking on immediate memory and performance in different kinds of smoker.

Changes in performance resulting from smoking were assessed in 48 male cigarette smokers who were classified both by daily consumption and by relative desire for smoking in situations inducive of high or low arousal. Each took part in four first cigarette of the day conditions involving a sham smoking control and three cigarettes differing in nicotine delivery. With increasing cigarette strength gains in letter cancellation speed on smoking increased although an inverted-U relationship was suggested; immediate memory accuracy progressively deteriorated once pre-smoking performance was controlled for. Smokers with greater desire to smoke in situations inducive of low arousal appeared to react more strongly to cigarettes and showed superior gain in cancellation speed on smoking. High cigarette consumption did not lead to between-day tolerance to cigarette effects.