Change in smoking status and its relation to the risk of gastroduodenal ulcer in Korean men.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Smoking is associated with the increased risk of gastroduodenal ulcer. However, although smoking status can vary over time, most of studies have analyzed this association with smoking status at a single point of time. We analyzed the risk of gastroduodenal ulcer according to change in smoking status for more than 5 years. METHODS: Study participants were 43 380 Korean adults free of gastroduodenal ulcer who received health check-up between 2002 and 2013. Through evaluating their smoking status (never, quitter, and current) at 2003-2004 and 2009, they were categorized them into seven groups (never-never, never-quitter, never-current, quitter-quitter, quitter-current, current-quitter, and current-current) and monitored until 2013 to identify incident gastroduodenal ulcer. Cox-proportional hazard model was used to calculate the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for incident gastroduodenal ulcer according to changes in smoking status and smoking amount. RESULTS: Compared with never-never group (reference), other groups had the significantly increased adjusted HRs and 95% CI for gastroduodenal ulcer. In particular, participants with current smoking (never-current, quitter-current, and current-current) had the relatively higher HRs than other groups (never-quitter: 1.200 [1.070-1.346], never-current: 1.375 [1.156-1.636], quitter-quitter: 1.149 [1.010-1.306], quitter-current: 1.325 [1.058-1.660], current-quitter: 1.344 [1.188-1.519], and current-current: 1.379 [1.256-1.513]). Heavy smoker had the highest risk for gastroduodenal ulcer, followed by moderate and light smoker. CONCLUSION: People who ever experienced smoking had increased risk of gastroduodenal ulcer. Out of smoking status, current smoking is more associated with the increased risk of gastroduodenal ulcer than past smoking.

Preoperative patient preparation in enhanced recovery pathways.

Enhanced recovery pathways are a novel approach focused on enhancing the care of surgical patients. "Prehabilitation" is the term applied to any intervention administered before surgery to reduce surgery-related morbidity, decrease the length of hospital stay, expedite the return of organ function, and facilitate the patient's return to normal life. A PubMed search was performed with the following key words: enhanced recovery, preoperative preparation, cessation of smoking and euvolemia. The results from this Pubmed search revealed that female patients may have higher levels of anxiety than male patients. Intensive smoking and alcohol cessation 6-8 weeks before elective surgery may reduce the incidence of postoperative morbidity. Preoperative exercise can be effective for reducing the postoperative complications like pulmonary complications and shortening the length of hospital stay. It is safe to allow patients to drink clear fluids up until 2 h before elective surgery (Level II evidence). Perioperative normoglycemia is the single most important factor to prevent surgical site infection. Intermittent pneumatic compression devices and low molecular weight heparin are effective in preventing postoperative thromboembolism. No advantage is gained by preoperative mechanical bowel preparation in elective colorectal surgery. The goal of preoperative fluid management is for the patient to arrive in the operating room in a hydrated and euvolemic state. Mild perioperative hypothermia may promote surgical wound infection by triggering thermoregulatory vasoconstriction, which decreases subcutaneous oxygen tension.

Is the shape of the decline in risk following quitting smoking similar for squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lung? A quantitative review using the negative exponential model.

One possible contributor to the reported rise in the ratio of adenocarcinoma to squamous cell carcinoma of the lung may be differences in the pattern of decline in risk following quitting for the two lung cancer types. Earlier, using data from 85 studies comparing overall lung cancer risks in current smokers, quitters (by time quit) and never smokers, we fitted the negative exponential model, deriving an estimate of 9.93years for the half-life - the time when the excess risk for quitters compared to never smokers becomes half that for continuing smokers. Here we applied the same techniques to data from 16 studies providing RRs specific for lung cancer type. From the 13 studies where the half-life was estimable for each type, we derived estimates of 11.68 (95% CI 10.22-13.34) for squamous cell carcinoma and 14.45 (11.92-17.52) for adenocarcinoma. The ratio of the half-lives was estimated as 1.32 (95% CI 1.20-1.46, p<0.001). The slower decline in quitters for adenocarcinoma, evident in subgroups by sex, age and other factors, may be one of the factors contributing to the reported rise in the ratio of adenocarcinoma to squamous cell carcinoma. Others include changes in the diagnosis and classification of lung cancer.

How rapidly does the excess risk of lung cancer decline following quitting smoking? A quantitative review using the negative exponential model.

The excess lung cancer risk from smoking declines with time quit, but the shape of the decline has never been precisely modelled, or meta-analyzed. From a database of studies of at least 100 cases, we extracted 106 blocks of RRs (from 85 studies) comparing current smokers, former smokers (by time quit) and never smokers. Corresponding pseudo-numbers of cases and controls (or at-risk) formed the data for fitting the negative exponential model. We estimated the half-life (H, time in years when the excess risk becomes half that for a continuing smoker) for each block, investigated model fit, and studied heterogeneity in H. We also conducted sensitivity analyses allowing for reverse causation, either ignoring short-term quitters (S1) or considering them smokers (S2). Model fit was poor ignoring reverse causation, but much improved for both sensitivity analyses. Estimates of H were similar for all three analyses. For the best-fitting analysis (S1), H was 9.93 (95% CI 9.31-10.60), but varied by sex (females 7.92, males 10.71), and age (<50years 6.98, 70+years 12.99). Given that reverse causation is taken account of, the model adequately describes the decline in excess risk. However, estimates of H may be biased by factors including misclassification of smoking status.

Atypical carcinoma detected after regression of a "benign" oral white lesion. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Unlike leukoplakia, the smokers' lesion - a type of oral white lesion spontaneously regressing following cessation of smoking - is generally considered a non-serious condition and there is no recommendation for subsequent follow-up of such patients. CASE REPORT: Here, however, we present the case of a patient (female, 56, smoker) in whom we detected a smoker's lesion which regressed completely, without any signs of abnormality or malignity. The only shadow of a doubt that led us to inviting her for another examination was an additional examination using a VELscope® autofluorescence device that revealed autofluorescence suppression on the site of the former lesion. Another examination one month later revealed a patch of epithelium with a normal color but a negligibly different light reflection in the center of the former lesion; VELscope® indicated the questionable area to still be suspect. Following excision using margins indicated by VELscope® (+2-3 mm), histopathology revealed a squamous cell carcinoma. The secondary excision was carcinoma free and even after 5 years, the carcinoma has not recurred. CONCLUSION: We would like to point out that apparent spontaneous regressions of oral white lesions following smoking cessation still need attention and close follow-up to make sure that a developing squamous cell carcinoma cannot pass undetected.

Tabaquismo y niveles de colesterol HDL en pacientes que asisten a una unidad de prevención secundaria cardiovascular / Smoking and HDL colesterol levels in patiens assisting a cardiovascular secundary prevention unit / Tabagismo e níveis de colesterol HDL em pacientes atendidos em unidade de prevenção secundária cardiovascular

Resumen: Introducción: El tabaquismo es un importante factor de riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular a nivel mundial y local. Los fumadores presentan niveles de colesterol HDL bajos. La cesación del tabaquismo eleva los niveles de HDL y reduce el riesgo cardiovascular. Objetivo: determinar la relación de los niveles de colesterol HDL en función del status fumador. Métodos: Estudio observacional, longitudinal, analítico, retrospectivo. La información fue tomada de historias clínicas de pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica revascularizados, con status de fumador y niveles de colesterol HDL asistidos en una Unidad de Prevención Secundaria. Los resultados se analizaron en frecuencias y medias. Se realizó chi-cuadrado para comparación de frecuencias y test de t de student para la comparación medias. Resultados: Se estudiaron 97 pacientes. El 48.5% eran fumadores, el 30% ex fumadores y el 22% no fumadores. El 58% de los fumadores activos, 57% de los fumadores en cesación y el 55% de los ex fumadores tenían valores de colesterol HDL bajo. A los seis meses: el 60% de los fumadores activos, el 40% de los fumadores en cesación y el 41% de los ex fumadores tenían valores de HDL bajo. Al comparar las frecuencias se obtuvo un valor de p 0,732 al inicio y un valor de p 0,311 a los 6 meses, no estadísticamente significativos. La media total de los valores de HDL al inicio fue de 40,72 mg/dl y a los 6 meses de 43,42 mg/dl con un valor de p 0,003, estadísticamente significativo. Se comparó las medias de HDL inicial de los pacientes en cesación versus las medias de HDL de los ex fumadores a los 6 meses con un valor de p 0,054, que roza la significancia estadística. Conclusiones: Los niveles de colesterol HDL fueron bajos en los fumadores. Observamos que la cesación del tabaquismo provocó una tendencia al incremento delos niveles de colesterol HDL.

Abstract: Introduction: Smoking is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease worldwide and locally. Smokers present low levels of HDL cholesterol. Cessation of smoking raises HDL levels and reduces cardiovascular risk. Objective: Determine the relationship of HDL cholesterol levels according to smoking status. Methods: An Observational, longitudinal, analytical, retrospective study. The information was taken from medical records of patients with revascularized ischemic heart disease, with smoker status and HDL cholesterol levels assisted at the Secondary Prevention Unit. The results were analyzed in frequencies and means. Chi-square was performed for comparison of frequencies and student's test for the means comparison. Results: 97 patients were studied, 48.5% were smokers, 30% were ex-smokers and 22% were non-smokers. The 58% of active smokers, 57% of smokers in cessation and 55% of ex-smokershad low values of HDL cholesterol. Six months later: 60% of active smokers, 40% of smokers in cessation and 41% of ex-smokers had low HDL values. When comparing frequencies, a value of p 0.732 was obtained at the beginning and a value of p 0.311 6 months later, not statistically significant. The total mean HDL values ​​at baseline were 40.72 mg / dl and at 6 months, 43.42 mg / dl, with a p-value of 0.003, statistically significant. The initial HDL mean of smokers in cessation was compared to the HDL mean of the ex-smokers at 6 months with a p-value 0.054 that borders on statistical significance. Conclusions: HDL levels were low in smokers. We observed that the cessation of smoking caused a tendency to increase HDL cholesterol levels.

Resumo: Introdução: O tabagismo é um importante fator de risco para doenças cardiovasculares em todo o mundo e localmente. Fumantes têm baixos níveis de colesterol HDL. A cessação do tabagismo aumenta os níveis de HDL e reduz o risco cardiovascular. Objetivo: determinar a relação dos níveis de colesterol HDL de acordo com o status de tabagismo. Métodos: Estudo observacional, longitudinal, analítico, retrospectivo. As informações foram retiradas de prontuários de pacientes com doença cardíaca isquêmica revascularizada, com status de fumante e níveis de colesterol HDL atendidos em uma Unidade de Prevenção Secundária. Os resultados foram analisados em frequências e médias. O qui-quadrado foi realizado para comparação de frequências e teste t de Student para comparação. Resultados: 97 pacientes foram estudados. 48,5% eram fumantes, 30% ex-fumantes e 22% não fumantes. 58% dos fumantes ativos, 57% dos fumantes em cessação e 55% dos ex-fumantes tinham baixos valores de colesterol HDL. Aos seis meses: 60% dos fumantes ativos, 40% dos fumantes em cessação e 41% dos ex-fumantes tinham baixos valores de HDL. Ao comparar frequências, um valor de p 0,732 foi obtido no início e um valor de p 0,311 aos 6 meses, não estatisticamente significante. Os valores médios totais de HDL no início do estudo foram de 40,72 mg / dl e aos 6 meses, 43,42 mg / dl com um valor p de 0,003, estatisticamente significativo. Comparamos as médias iniciais do HDL dos pacientes que deixaram de fumar versus as médias do HDL dos ex-fumantes aos 6 meses, com um valor p de 0,054, o que limita a significância estatística. Conclusões: Os níveis de colesterol HDL foram baixos em fumantes. Observamos que a cessação do tabagismo causou uma tendência a aumentar os níveis de colesterol HDL.