Respective Baseline Measurements Research Articles

The effect of background audio and audiovisual stimuli on students' autonomic responses during and after an experimental academic examination.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown during the online-distant education period, certain students tended to combine their courses and homework with TV or social media news or other media content, such as classical music, including a wealth of audio and audiovisual stimuli. As the audio and audiovisual stimuli existing in a learning environment may affect students' autonomic nervous system (ANS) responses negatively, the present study aimed to monitor the impact of background TV, classical music, and silence on students' ANS activity represented by heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), blood volume amplitude (BVA), and skin conductance level (SCL) during and after an experimental academic examination. Seventy-six students were randomly allocated to background TV, classical music, or silence groups. The experiment with repeated measures design consisted of four consecutive periods: baseline, anticipation, challenge, and recovery, lasting 4 min each. Within-subject analyses indicated significant HRV decrement only in the background TV group. Regardless of the experimental groups, HR and SCL increased while BVA decreased during the task. In addition, the between-subject analysis showed that the background TV group experienced significantly larger changes in HR and HRV parameters compared to the other experimental groups relative to their respective baseline measurements. Based on these results, we concluded that relative to classical music and silence, background TV, including audiovisual and verbal stimuli, extant in a learning environment might raise students' sympathetic activity. Further, classical music, without lyrics, may suppress the withdrawal of vagal activity and elevate the autonomic regulation capacity during the academic reading comprehension task. HRV is a more valid and reliable indicator of students' autonomic responses during a challenging academic task.

Effects of handling and storage on potassium concentration in plasma and serum samples obtained from cats.

To compare potassium concentrations in feline plasma and serum samples analyzed promptly after collection or after 20 to 28 hours of refrigerated storage. 41 cats. A venous blood sample was obtained from each cat. Aliquots were placed in 2 tubes without anticoagulant (blood was allowed to clot to derive serum) and 2 tubes with heparin (to derive plasma). One serum and 1 plasma sample were kept at room temperature and analyzed within 60 minutes after collection (baseline); the other serum and plasma samples were analyzed after 20 to 28 hours of refrigerated storage. At both time points, serum and plasma potassium concentrations were measured. Median baseline serum potassium concentration (4.3 mmol/L) was significantly higher than median baseline plasma potassium concentration (4.1 mmol/L). The median difference between those values was 0.4 mmol/L (95% CI, 0.2 to 0.5 mmol/L). Compared with their respective baseline measurements, the median serum plasma concentration (4.8 mmol/L) and median plasma potassium concentration (4.6 mmol/L) were higher after 20 to 28 hours of refrigeration. Results indicated that with regard to potassium concentration in feline blood samples, clotting or refrigerated storage for 20 to 28 hours results in a significant artifactual increase. Detection of an unexpectedly high potassium concentration in a cat may represent pseudohyperkalemia, especially if the blood sample was placed in a no-additive tube, was stored for 20 to 28 hours prior to analysis, or both.

Management of Post-LASIK Dry Eye with Intense Pulsed Light in Combination with 0.1% Sodium Hyaluronate and Heated Eye Mask.

IntroductionLaser in situ keratomelieusis (LASIK) is one of the most frequently performed refractive treatments. Dry eye (DE) is common in patients after LASIK and can be bothersome postoperatively. Therapies such as intense pulsed light (IPL), sodium hyaluronate (SH) and heated eye mask (HEM) have been reported to improve signs and symptoms of DE .AimThe purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate and compare the effects of IPL and 0.1% SH (IPL group, 50 eyes) and IPL in combination with 0.1% SH and HEM (IPL + group, 50 eyes) in participants with persistent post-LASIK DE.MethodsThe final analysis included 100 patients (100 eyes) who had LASIK for myopic correction and had been experiencing moderate to severe DE following LASIK for over a year. Participants were randomly assigned to either the IPL group (2 IPL sessions) or IPL + group (2 IPL sessions and daily HEM for 4 weeks), and both groups continued the use of daily 0.1% SH (HYLO-COMOD®) preservative-free eye drops. Non-invasive tear break-up time (NITBUT), tear film lipid layer (TFLL), lower tear meniscus height (LTMH), meibomian gland quality (MGQ), meibomian gland expressibility (MGEx), corneal fluorescein staining (CFS), ocular surface disease index (OSDI) and artificial tear usage (ATU) survey were assessed at baseline (BL) and follow-up at 2 (F1) and 4 weeks (F2).ResultsFollowing the treatment protocol, all dry eye (DE) parameters assessed in this study improved significantly (P < 0.05) in both groups at F2 compared with their respective BL measurements. Inter-group comparison at F2 found significant differences in their NITBUT (IPL: 6.06 ± 0.59 vs. IPL +: 6.67 ± 0.86, P < 0.001), TFLL (IPL: 1.90 ± 0.65 vs. IPL +: 1.60 ± 0.64, P = 0.021), LTMH (IPL: 0.186 ± 0.053 vs. 0.204 ± 0.034, P = 0.003), MGQ (IPL: 1.48 ± 0.54 vs. IPL +: 1.26 ± 0.56, P = 0.026), MGEx (IPL: 1.62 ± 0.53 vs. IPL +: 1.44 ± 0.50, P = 0.038) and OSDI (IPL: 32.54 ± 6.85 vs. IPL +: 29.76 ± 4.74, P = 0.001), while CFS score (IPL: 4.02 ± 0.65 vs. IPL +: 3.96 ± 0.73, P = 0.652) and ATU (IPL: 1.88 ± 0.63 vs. IPL +: 1.72 ± 0.50, P = 0.159) showed no significant difference.ConclusionPost-LASIK DE signs and symptoms can be improved by combining therapies such as IPL, HEM and 0.1% SH. Increased TFLL due to a combination of IPL, 0.1% SH and HEM had a greater positive impact on the subjective and objective DE measurements in participants with persistent post-LASIK DE.

Effects of Yoga in Managing Fatigue in Breast Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background:Cancer-related fatigue is widely prevalent in cancer patients and affects quality of life in advanced cancer patients. Fatigue is caused due to both psychologic distress and physiological sequel following cancer progression and its treatment. In this study, we evaluate the effects of yogic intervention in managing fatigue in metastatic breast cancer patients.Methods:Ninety-one patients with metastatic breast cancer were randomized to receive integrated yoga program (n = 46) or supportive therapy and education (n = 45) over a 3-month period. Assessments such as perceived stress, fatigue symptom inventory, diurnal salivary cortisol, and natural killer cell counts were carried out before and after intervention. Analysis was done using an intention-to-treat approach. Postmeasures for the above outcomes were assessed using ANCOVA with respective baseline measure as a covariate.Results:The results suggest that yoga reduces perceived stress (P = 0.001), fatigue frequency (P < 0.001), fatigue severity (P < 0.001), interference (P < 0.001), and diurnal variation (P < 0.001) when compared to supportive therapy. There was a positive correlation of change in fatigue severity with 9 a.m. salivary cortisol levels.Conclusion:The results suggest that yoga reduces fatigue in advanced breast cancer patients.

Effect of Yoga on Sleep Quality and Neuroendocrine Immune Response in Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients.

Background:Studies have shown that distress and accompanying neuroendocrine stress responses as important predictor of survival in advanced breast cancer patients. Some psychotherapeutic intervention studies have shown have modulation of neuroendocrine-immune responses in advanced breast cancer patients. In this study, we evaluate the effects of yoga on perceived stress, sleep, diurnal cortisol, and natural killer (NK) cell counts in patients with metastatic cancer.Methods:In this study, 91 patients with metastatic breast cancer who satisfied selection criteria and consented to participate were recruited and randomized to receive “integrated yoga based stress reduction program” (n = 45) or standard “education and supportive therapy sessions” (n = 46) over a 3 month period. Psychometric assessments for sleep quality were done before and after intervention. Blood draws for NK cell counts were collected before and after the intervention. Saliva samples were collected for three consecutive days before and after intervention. Data were analyzed using the analysis of covariance on postmeasures using respective baseline measure as a covariate.Results:There was a significant decrease in scales of symptom distress (P < 0.001), sleep parameters (P = 0.02), and improvement in quality of sleep (P = 0.001) and Insomnia Rating Scale sleep score (P = 0.001) following intervention. There was a decrease in morning waking cortisol in yoga group (P = 0.003) alone following intervention. There was a significant improvement in NK cell percent (P = 0.03) following intervention in yoga group compared to control group.Conclusion:The results suggest modulation of neuroendocrine responses and improvement in sleep in patients with advanced breast cancer following yoga intervention.

Assessment of vascular function in individuals with hyperglycemia: a cross-sectional study of glucose - induced changes in digital volume pulse.

BackgroundArterial stiffness is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and its progression may be accelerated in the presence of hyperglycemia, either fasting or postprandial. The current study assessed vascular function in subjects with pre-diabetes hyperglycemia, using digital volume pulse analysis technique.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study examining vascular function in the fasting and postprandial (glucose-induced) state in 44 adults, consisting of 17 subjects with pre-diabetic hyperglycemia and 27 normoglycemic volunteers. Photoplethysmography of the digital volume pulse (DVP) was used to determine stiffness index (SI) and reflective index (RI), as main measures of larger artery stiffness and vascular tone, respectively.ResultsOur results showed a significantly higher (Ln) fasting SI in the hyperglycemic group compared with the control group (2.19 ± 0.32 vs. 1.96 ± 0.22, P = 0.005). However, this pattern reversed after adjustment for potential confounders. In multiple linear regression analysis, (Ln) SI was related to age (β = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.01-0.02, P < 0.001) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (β = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.00-0.01, P < 0.05), but not with W/H, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) or serum lipids. Furthermore, age (β = 0.02, 95% CI: 0.01-0.03, P < 0.001) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) (β = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.00-0.02, P < 0.05) were found as the strong predictors of fasting SI in hyperglycemic group. Neither FPG nor 2-h plasma glucose was a significant predictor for SI in hyperglycemic group, after accounting for age and MAP. Subjects with hyperglycemia had a 15% blunted change in postprandial AUCs for RI, adjusted for the respective baseline measurements (−9.40 ± 3.59 vs. -11.00 ± 2.84%) but these did not attain statistical significance.ConclusionIncreased arterial stiffness in pre-diabetic subjects is strongly associated with age and MAP. The increased DVP-derived SI reported in patients with pre-diabetic hyperglycemia may result from different frequently accompanied risk factors not just glycemic changes in this range.

EPOC Comparison Between Isocaloric Bouts of Steady-State Aerobic, Intermittent Aerobic, and Resistance Training

Purpose: Excess postexercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) is dependent on intensity, duration, and mode of exercise. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of both exercise mode and intensity on EPOC while controlling for caloric expenditure and duration. Method: Ten low to moderately physically active men (22 ± 2 yrs) performed 3 nonrandomized isocaloric bouts of exercise separated by 7 days. The 1st session was resistance training (RT), followed by moderate-intensity steady-state (SS) aerobic exercise, and concluding with a high-intensity intermittent (IT) aerobic session. Results: Total energy expenditure, rate of energy expenditure, and duration did not differ among trials (p>.05). Respiratory exchange ratio was greater during the RT trial than the SS trial (p < .05). At 12 hr postexercise, resting metabolic rate (RMR) was higher after the RT trial (4.7 ± 0.67 mL/kg/min) and IT trial (4.6 ± 0.62 mL/kg/min) compared with their respective baseline measurements (p < .008) and the SS trial (4.3 ± 0.58 mL/kg/min; p < .008). At 21 hr postexercise, RMR was higher after the RT trial (3.7 ± 0.51 mL/kg/min) and IT trial (3.5 ± 0.39 mL/kg/min) compared with the SS trial (3.2 ± 0.38 mL/kg/min; p < .008). The SS trial did not influence RMR at either 12 hr or 21 hr postexercise. Conclusion: Both RT and IT aerobic work increased EPOC to a greater degree than did SS work, indicating that either mode may be more effective at increasing total daily caloric expenditure than SS aerobic exercise.

P02.50. Naturopathy and yoga based life style intervention for cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with cardiovascular risk factors: a pilot study

Methods In this randomized waitlisted controlled clinical trial, 72 subjects with known cardiovascular risk factors were randomized to receive residential 3 week yoga and naturopathy intervention (n=37) or waitlisted (n=35) to receive the same later. Outcome measures like resting blood pressure, Body Mass Index, lipid profile, fasting and post prandial blood glucose, and psychological measures such as Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Somatization component of SCL90, and General Health Perception Questionnaire were assessed at baseline and after the intervention waitlist period. Data were analysed between groups using ANCOVA with respective baseline measure as a covariate.

A randomized controlled trial of expressive writing for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

9029 Background: Most previous research examining the efficacy of brief expressive writing interventions have used small sample sizes and followed people for no more than 3 months. We conducted a large randomized trial to examine an expressive writing intervention for patients with renal cell carcinoma and followed them for 10 months after the end of the writing sessions. Methods: Two hundred patients with RCC were randomly assigned to either write their deepest thoughts and feelings about their cancer (EW) or to write about neutral topics (NW) on four separate occasions over 10 days for a maximum of 20 minutes at each writing session. Patients completed the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI), Brief Fatigue Inventory, SF-36, IES, CES-D, and PSQI at baseline and then again 1, 4, and 10 months after the writing sessions. Results: The mean age of the participants was 58 (range 34-82 years), 41% were women, and staging data were 39% stage I, 15% stage II, 19% stage III, and 27% stage IV. The groups were well balanced on all demographic and medical characteristics. Examination of group differences 1 month after the writing sessions, controlling for the respective baseline measure, revealed decreased IES scores for the EW group (intrusive thoughts: EW, 5.0 v NW, 7.2; p&lt;.02; avoidance behaviors: EW, 6.3 v NW, 8.7; p&lt;.07). By 4 months after the intervention, the EW group reported higher levels of SF-36 Social Functioning scores (EW: 52.6 v NW: 49.7; p&lt;.04). At the 10 month time point, the EW group reported fewer cancer-related symptoms (EW: 20.8 v NW: 30.8; p&lt;.04), higher levels of SF-36 Role Physical scores (EW: 69.6 v NW: 54.0; p&lt;.02), and fewer sleep disturbances (subscale of the PSQI; EW: 1.4 v NW: 1.6; p&lt;.05). Means for the other SF-36 subscales at 10 months were in the expected, but did not reach statistical significance. There were no group differences for CES-D or fatigue scores at any time point. Mediation analyses revealed that IES scores at 1 month mediated the effects of EW on cancer-related symptoms (F= 1.85, p&lt;.06) at the 10 month follow up. Conclusions: These findings indicate expressive writing leads to short-term reduction in intrusive thoughts about the cancer experience and results in long-term improvement in aspects of quality of life.

P3-08-01: Effects of an Integrated Yoga Program on Mood States, Distress, Quality of Life, Diurnal Cortisol Rhythms and Natural Killer Cell Counts in Metastatic Breast Cancer Survivors.

Abstract Background and objectives: Metastatic breast cancer patients experience tremendous psychological distress due to treatment, disease and uncertainty of their survival. In this study we evaluated the effects of an integrated yoga program versus supportive counseling in advanced breast cancer survivors. Methods: Ninety one Metastatic breast cancer survivors (group mean age 50.54 yrs ± 8.53 yrs) registered in hospital based cancer registry were recruited if they satisfied selection criteria and gave written consent for participation in the study. The study was approved by the institutional review board. Subjects were randomized to either receive yoga intervention (n=45) or supportive therapy (n=46) counseling as a standard of care for 3 months of intervention period. Subjects were assessed at baseline and after intervention for mood states using hospital anxiety and depression scale, sleep quality using Pittsburg Insomnia rating scale, quality of life using EORTC Qol C30 for breast and perceived stress using perceived stress scale. Saliva samples were collected for three consecutive days at 0600hrs, 0900hrs and 2100hrs before and after intervention for cortisol rhythms using Enzyme Immune Assay kits from Salimetrics and blood samples were collected between 0800hrs to 01000hrs for NK cell enumeration using flow cytometry. 35 subjects in yoga and 31 subjects in controls completed the post measures. Data were analyzed using both parametric (ANCOVA with respective baseline measure as a covariate) and non parametric tests (Mann whitney U test) to evaluate effects of intervention on the above outcome measures. Data for salivary cortisol data was log transformed, area under the curve and cortisol slope computed using linear mixed effects model. Results: There was a significant decrease in anxiety (p &amp;lt; 0.001), depression (p &amp;lt; 0.001), perceived stress (p = 0.01), fatigue severity (p &amp;lt; 0.001) and interference (p &amp;lt; 0.001) in yoga group compared to controls post intervention. There was a significant improvement in emotional function (p &amp;lt; 0.001), role function (p = 0.03) and cognitive function (p &amp;lt; 0.001) and global quality of life (p &amp;lt; 0.001) in yoga group compared to controls. There was significant decrease in 0600 hrs cortisol within the yoga group (p =0.03) alone. There was a significant increase in Natural killer cell percent in yoga group (p =0.03) compared to controls after intervention. Conclusion: The results suggest biobehavioral effects of yoga intervention could possibly improve quality of life, reduce psychological distress and modulate abnormal cortisol profiles and immune responses in metastatic breast cancer patients. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-08-01.

Role of yoga in modulating fatigue, sleep disturbances, salivary cortisol, and immune measures in breast cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial.

9099 Background: Psychological distress is high in breast cancer patients with metastases and affects their circadian rhythms of sleep and stress hormones. Yoga as a stress reduction and mind-body intervention is increasingly becoming popular among cancer patients globally. In this study we evaluate the effects of an integrated yoga program vs. supportive therapy on these psychoimmune and endocrine outcomes. Methods: Sixty-Six breast cancer survivors with metastatic disease and adequate performance status (Zubrods 0-2) were recruited and randomized to receive yoga or supportive therapy for a period of12 weeks. Subjects completed Pittsburg Insomnia Rating Scale and Fatigue symptom inventory before and after intervention. Diurnal saliva samples were collected and assessed for cortisol (am and pm) using enzyme Immune assay and morning blood samples for Natural killer cell counts determined by flow cytometry before and after intervention. Results: ANCOVA done with respective baseline measure as a covariate be...

Leptin and cardiovascular disease: response to therapeutic interventions.

Leptin and cardiovascular disease: response to therapeutic interventions.

Long-term effects of pre-surgical stress management for men with early stage prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP)

5148 Background: We conducted a randomized trial to examine pre-surgical stress management for men undergoing RP. We previously reported on the short-term benefits in reducing mood disturbances before and after surgery. Methods: One hundred and fifty- eight men were randomly assigned to one of three conditions. Men in the stress management (SM) group discussed their fears and concerns about the upcoming surgery and were taught diaphragmatic breathing, guided imagery, an imaginal exposure to the day of surgery, and exposure to adaptive coping skills. Men in the supportive attention (SA) group discussed their fears and concerns about the upcoming surgery and then a semi-structured interview was conducted. Men in the SM and SA groups met with a clinical psychologist two times prior to surgery, a brief session just prior to surgery, and then again prior to discharge. Men in the usual care (UC) group had no meetings with a psychologist. Men completed psychosocial and quality of life (QOL) measures including distress (BSI-GSI), intrusive thoughts (IES), and QOL (SF-36), at baseline and 6 and 12 months later. Results: Men were primarily Caucasian (78%), married (85%) and highly educated (80% some college or higher). Mixed model analyses, controlling for ethnicity, age, martial status, stage, baseline PSA, Gleason score, and the respective baseline measure, indicated a significant group main effect for SF-36 Role Physical (SF-RP)(p=0.01). Post-hoc analyses revealed significantly higher SF-RP scores for the SM (86) vs. UC (63) group and marginally higher scores for the SM (86) vs. SA (73) group. There was a marginally significant group main effect for pain scores (SF-BP) (p=0.12) with the SM group reporting significantly better pain scores than the UC group (80 vs. 71), and neither group differed from the SA group (77). There was also a group by time effect for general health scores (SF-GH) revealing by 12 months after surgery that the SM (74) and SA (76) groups both reported higher SF-GH scores than the UC group (68). There were no group differences on any of the other outcomes. Conclusions: Results suggest that even a brief pre-surgical stress management intervention is beneficial in terms of improving aspects of QOL 6 and 12 months after RP. Funding: NIMH/NCI RO1MH59432 No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Adenylyl and guanylyl cyclase activity in the choroid

The choroid, a low-resistance vascular structure provides nourishment to and removal of potential toxic waste products from the adjacent non-vascularized outer layers of the retina, macula, and optic disc region and may be involved in the pathology of normal tension glaucoma. This study is aimed at delineating the biochemical pharmacology of vascular tone control in this tissue. By using a procedure to harvest fresh choroidal tissue, we studied some basic characteristics of the adenylyl (AC) and guanylyl cyclase (GC) enzyme systems in this tissue using the 3H-cAMP/ 32P-ATP tracer method. Compared to respective baseline measurements (100±SEM%), AC activity was stimulated ( p<0·05) by forskolin (FSK, 477±59%), fluoroaluminate (AlF 4, 360±10·3%), isoproterenol (ISO, 129±5·5%), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, 132±6·1%), calmodulin (CAM)+Mn 2+ (196±69%), and dose-dependently by prostaglandin (PG) E 2 (up to 162±3·6%). The antagonist drug calmidazolium inhibited the CAM-dependent increase but also blocked basal activity (47±2·0%) without affecting the FSK response. Other CAM blockers (TFP, W5) produced similar results but were not completely selective for CAM-activated cyclase. GDPβS, a blocker of G-protein coupling to AC did not affect AC responses to FSK, ISO, and AlF 4, but decreased the response to PGE 2. N-ethyl-carboxamido adenosine (NECA), which activates adenosine A 2 receptors, did not synergize with FSK or add to ISO responses and did not activate AC by itself. In the GC system activity was stimulated ( p<0·05) by CAM+Mn 2+ (239±27%), by atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP, up to 143±1·4%) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP, up to 179±1·6%). These results show that choroidal tissue has significant activities of the adenylyl and guanylyl cyclase second messenger systems potentially responsive to hormones/neurotransmitters that may control the degree of relaxation in this vascular tissue.

Topical carbonic anhydrase inhibition increases ocular pulse amplitude in high tension primary open angle glaucoma

BACKGROUNDOcular pulse amplitude (OPA) is reduced in normal tension primary open angle glaucoma (NTP) patients when compared with healthy age matched controls (CTL) while increased OPA appears to protect ocular...

Ocular pulse amplitude and local carbonic anhydrase inhibition

Ocular perfusion is increasingly being discussed in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. The present study was designed to investigate ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients with elevated intraocular pressure (HTG) and non-glaucomatous controls (CTL) following topical application of the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor dorzolamide. OPA (Ocular Blood Flow System, OBF Labs UK) intraocular pressure (IOP), heart rate (HR), and systolic (BPsyst) and diastolic (BPdiast) bronchial artery pressures were measured before and 2 days after initiating treatment in 33 cataract patients with n = 14) and without (n = 19) POAG. Following application of dorzolamide, IOP (mmHg) in drug-treated HTG and CTL eyes was highly significantly reduced (p < 0.001) and in vehicle-treated HTG and CTL eyes significantly reduced (p < 0.03) compared to respective baseline measurements. OPA (mmHg) in drug-treated HTG and CTL eyes was significantly increased (p < 0.05) and in vehicle-treated eyes in affected compared to respective baseline measurements. Systemic perfusion parameters were also unchanged. Dorzolamide increased OPA in HTG and CTL eyes. An increase in OPA may improve the prognosis of HTG.

Lung Function and Respiratory Symptoms Related to Changes in Smoking Habits in Asbestos-Exposed Subjects

The purpose of this study was to examine respiratory symptoms and lung function (forced vital capacity [FVC] and forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1]) as related to changes in smoking habits in subjects previously exposed to asbestos. The study was linked to a smoke-ending program among asbestos-exposed males. Subjects were recruited from a population-based survey, and 231 smokers met for the baseline consultation. The baseline prevalences of cough, chronic cough, and dyspnea among smokers were 68.0%, 44.6%, and 42.4%, respectively. Both smoke-ending (n = 10) and tobacco reduction (n = 52) during the 2-year follow-up resulted in remission of cough and chronic cough, whereas dyspnea was unaffected. When the 2-year measurements of FVC and FEV1 were adjusted for the respective baseline measurements, FEV1 tended to improve in subjects who had quit during the study, relative to the continuing smokers. It was concluded that both smoke-ending and reduction of tobacco consumption resulted in reduction of cough and chronic cough, but not of dyspnea. The study further suggests a possible positive effect of smoking cessation on FEV1, but not merely by reduction of tobacco consumption.