RESUMO
As the availability of tobacco forms has evolved, emerging products known as heated tobacco products (HTPs) are increasingly being consumed worldwide and are claimed to be less harmful than tobacco cigarette smoking. To date, it is unknown whether Arab cigarette smokers are using or susceptible to HTPs. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the association between cigarette smoking behavior and the use of and susceptibility to HTPs in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Arab cigarette smokers (n = 628) from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, and Yemen were recruited using a convenience sampling technique. A cross-sectional survey comprised questions related to sociodemographic characteristics, cigarette smoking behavior characteristics (quitting attempts and desire to quit cigarette smoking, nicotine dependence, and consideration of switching to nicotine products with reduced health risks), and awareness of, use of, and susceptibility to use of HTPs. Descriptive and logistic regression models were used for analysis. The participants indicated a high frequency of past quitting attempts and a desire to quit smoking cigarettes. They were also considering switching to a nicotine product with reduced health risks. However, their awareness of HTPs was relatively low (24.2%), and the proportion of participants who had ever used HTPs or were currently using them was quite low as well (10.7% and 5.0%, respectively). A history of quit attempts was associated with more likely lifetime use of HTPs (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.21-5.71]). Nicotine-dependent cigarette smokers were more likely to be susceptible to HTP use (AOR = 1.12, 95% CI [1.01-1.24]). Moreover, those who would consider switching to a product that provided nicotine and could reduce health risks by 99% were more likely to be susceptible to using HTPs (AOR = 2.17, 95% CI [1.05-4.51]). Awareness of HTPs is relatively low among Arab cigarette smokers. Attempts to quit cigarette smoking, nicotine dependence, and the consideration of switching to a product that delivers nicotine with reduced health risks were significantly associated with using HTPs. The findings of this study provide potential for evidence-based treatment for smokers and will help prevent the use of tobacco industry tactics in marketing HTPs.
RESUMO
PURPOSE: The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is a measure of functional mobility. It is a short test and requires minimal space. We determined the potential role of TUG test as a measure of function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and compared with controls. Furthermore, we wanted to determine the association and reliability of TUG test time to fall history. METHODS: Patients with COPD (n = 119) and controls with a smoking history (n = 58) were recruited. The TUG test, 6-minute walk distance and subsequent BODE score, spirometry, and history of falls were assessed. The TUG test was measured across observers and on separate days within the same individual. RESULTS: The TUG test time was greater in patients, 11.9 ± 3.7 seconds, than controls, 9.5 ± 1.8 seconds (P < .001). The TUG test was inversely related to 6-minute walk distance in patients (r =-0.74) and controls (r =-0.71); P < .001. In patients, TUG test was related to BODE score (r = 0.53; P < .001) but not spirometry measurements. A receiver operator curve analysis of 0.77 in patients indicated reasonable ability for TUG test to indicate those who had fallen in the past year. A TUG of ≥12 seconds had 74% sensitivity and specificity for a history of a fall in the past year. Inter- and intraobserver values indicated minimal differences between measurements. CONCLUSION: These results support a potential role for the TUG test to be incorporated into community COPD assessment to stratify patients functionally, particularly where time and space are limited. Future studies are required to assess impact of interventions on TUG test and determine the predictive ability to identify future falls.