Factors associated with baseline smoking self-efficacy among male Qatari residents enrolled in a quit smoking study.

Smoking self-efficacy, described as confidence in one's ability to abstain from smoking in high-risk situations is a key predictor in cessation outcomes; however, there is a dearth of research on factors that influence self-efficacy surrounding smoking behavior. This study examines factors associated with baseline self-efficacy among treatment seeking participants enrolled in a pilot feasibility smoking cessation study. Participants (n = 247) were daily male smokers, residents of Doha in Qatar (18-60 years) who were enrolled in a telephone-based smoking cessation study. Baseline assessments included self-efficacy, home smoking rules, socio-demographic variables, smoking history, and psychosocial characteristics. Factors associated with self-efficacy were assessed using multiple linear regression analysis. Results showed that after controlling for relevant variables, number of cigarettes smoked ([Formula: see text] = -0.22; 95% CI: -0.37, -0.06), having at least one quit attempt in the past year ([Formula: see text] = 2.30; 95% CI: 0.27, 4.35), and reporting a complete home smoking ban ([Formula: see text] = 3.13; 95% CI: 0.56, 5.70) were significantly associated with higher self-efficacy to quit smoking. These results provide data-driven indication of several key variables that can be targeted to increase smoking self-efficacy in this understudied population.

Feasibility and Acceptability of a Telephone-Based Smoking Cessation Intervention for Qatari Residents.

The steady increase in smoking rates has led to a call for wide-reaching and scalable interventions for smoking cessation in Qatar. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of an evidence-based smoking cessation program delivered by telephone for Qatari residents. A total of 248 participants were recruited through primary care centers and received five weekly scheduled proactive behavioral counseling calls from personnel trained in tobacco cessation and navigation to obtain cessation pharmacotherapy from clinics. Outcomes were assessed at end of treatment (EOT), and 1- and-3-month follow up. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the average number of participants recruited per month pre- and post-COVID. We recruited 16 participants/month, the majority (85.5%) attended at least one counselling session, and 95.4% used some of pharmacotherapy. Retention rates were 70% at EOT, 64.4% and 71.7% at 1- and 3-month follow up, respectively; 86% reported being 'extremely satisfied' by the program. Our ITT 7-day point prevalence abstinence was 41.6% at EOT, 38.4% and 39.3% at 1-and 3-month, respectively. The average number of participants recruited per month was significantly higher for pre vs. post-COVID (18.9 vs. 10.0, p-value = 0.02). Average number of participants retained at EOT per recruitment month showed a slight decrease from 8.6 pre- to 8.2 post-COVID; average number who quit smoking at EOT per recruitment month also showed a decrease from 6 to 4.6. The study results indicated that our telephone-based intervention is feasible and acceptable in this population and presents a new treatment model which can be easily disseminated to a broad population of Qatari smokers.

Correlation of the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) with Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Interventions.

Introduction Contrast-induced acute nephropathy (CIN) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the setting of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is associated with adverse outcomes, including longer hospitalization and short and long-term mortality. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are inflammatory markers that have been validated separately in prior studies as a predictor of CIN in patients with ACS who undergo a left heart catheterization. Our study aims to further investigate the role of NLR and PLR together as markers for predicting CIN in patients with ACS.  Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on a total of 1,577 patients aged 18 - 90 who presented with ACS and underwent PCI between January 2011 to December 2015 at the Florida Hospital Orlando. Cut-off values used for a high PLR and NLR were PLR > 128 and NLR > 2.6. CIN was defined as an increased serum creatinine level by ≥ 0.5 mg/dL, or ≥ 25%, over the baseline value within 72 hours after contrast agent administration. Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were excluded.  Results Of the 1,577 patients included in the study, 213 (13.51%) patients had CIN. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, high NLR showed an independent association with an elevated risk of CIN (OR 2.03, 95% CI: 1.403 - 3.176, P < 0.001). High PLR did not correlate with CIN (OR 0.831, 95% CI: 0.569 - 1.214, P = 0.339).  Conclusion Elevated NLR is an independent predictor of CIN in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and may be used to improve on current risk prediction models.

Comparative Clinical Characteristics of Rheumatic Heart Disease Patients Undergoing Surgical Valve Replacement.

Background To assess the prevalence patterns of isolated/mixed rheumatic valvular lesions and associated risk factors among rheumatic heart disease (RHD) patients undergoing surgical valve replacement. Methods An analytical cross-sectional design was used. Purposive sampling was used to select 87 RHD patients who underwent a first-time valve replacement for mitral, aortic, or both valves between April 1 and October 20, 2016, at Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, Pakistan. Patients with systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus type-II, congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, non-rheumatic valvular degeneration, positive test for hepatitis C, or undergoing concomitant coronary artery bypass graft or a 'redo' valve replacement procedure were excluded. A proforma was used to collect preoperative data on patients' demographics, laboratory investigations, electrocardiogram (ECG), and transthoracic echocardiography reports. Results Age (mean ± S.D.) was 32.79 ± 13.06 years, which was divided into four quartile-based groups. Forty-six (52.9%) cases were males. The majority (56.3%) of patients underwent mitral valve replacement. Mitral regurgitation (MR, 80%) was the most common lesion. Of 71 available ECGs, atrial fibrillation was observed in 46.5% cases. Increasing age group was negatively correlated with MR severity (τc = -0.188, p-value = 0.033) and positively with aortic stenosis (AS) severity (τc = 0.141, p-value = 0.010). No significant elevations were observed for anti-streptolysin O titer, C-reactive protein, and leukocyte count, though the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was abnormally high in 46.94% cases. Conclusions MR was the most common lesion. MR was more severe in younger patients whilst AS was more severe in older cases. There is little evidence of ongoing residual inflammation.