The rs1458038 variant near FGF5 is associated with poor response to calcium channel blockers among Filipinos.

ABSTRACT: Genetic variation is known to affect response to calcium channel blockers (CCBs) among different populations. This study aimed to determine the genetic variations associated with poor response to this class of antihypertensive drugs among Filipinos.One hundred eighty one hypertensive participants on CCBs therapy were included in an unmatched case-control study. Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid were extracted and genotyped for selected genetic variants. Regression analysis was used to determine the association of genetic and clinical variables with poor response to medication.The variant rs1458038 near fibroblast growth factor 5 gene showed significant association with poor blood pressure-lowering response based on additive effect (CT genotype: adjusted OR 3.41, P = .001; TT genotype: adjusted OR 6.72, P < .001).These findings suggest that blood pressure response to calcium channels blockers among Filipinos with hypertension is associated with gene variant rs1458038 near fibroblast growth factor 5 gene. Further studies are recommended to validate such relationship of the variant to the CCB response.

The Klotho Variant rs36217263 Is Associated With Poor Response to Cardioselective Beta-Blocker Therapy Among Filipinos.

A common drug used for hypertension among Filipinos is beta-blockers. Variable responses to beta-blockers are observed, and genetic predisposition is suggested. This study investigated the association of genetic variants with poor response to beta-blockers among Filipinos. A total of 76 Filipino adult hypertensive participants on beta-blockers were enrolled in an unmatched case-control study. Genotyping was done using DNA from blood samples. Candidate variants were correlated with clinical data using χ2 and logistic regression analysis. The deletion of at least one copy of allele A of rs36217263 near Klotho showed statistically significant association with poor response to beta-blockers (dominant; odds ratio (OR) = 3.89; P = 0.017), adjusted for diabetes and dyslipidemia. This association is observed among participants using cardioselective beta-blockers (crude OR = 5.60; P = 0.008) but not carvedilol (crude OR = 2.56; P = 0.67). The genetic variant rs36217263 is associated with poor response to cardioselective beta-blockers, which may become a potential marker to aid in the management of hypertension.

Cardiac events occurred commonly among apparently healthy Filipinos with the Brugada ECG pattern in the LIFECARE cohort.

BACKGROUND: Brugada syndrome is the mechanism for sudden unexplained death. The Brugada ECG pattern is found in 2% of Filipinos. There is a knowledge gap on the clinical outcome of these individuals. The clinical profile and 5-year cardiac event rate of individuals with the Brugada ECG pattern were determined in this cohort. METHODS: This is a sub-study of LIFECARE (Life Course Study in Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology), a community based cohort enrolling healthy individuals 20 to 50 years old conducted in 2009-2010. ECGs of all enrollees were screened independently by three cardiologists. The prevalence of the coved Brugada ECG pattern was ascertained, and the 5-year cardiac event rate was determined among those individuals with this pattern. The participants were contacted to determine the occurrence of cardiac events, which included syncope, presyncope, seizures, cardiac arrest and unexplained vehicular accidents. RESULTS: A total of 3072 ECGs were reviewed, and 14 subjects (0.4%) with the coved Brugada ECG pattern were identified. Four had a cardiac event on follow-up at 5 years, but all remained alive. Most of these 14 coved Brugada individuals were healthy and asymptomatic at baseline. CONCLUSION: Cardiac events occurred commonly among initially asymptomatic Filipinos with the coved Brugada ECG pattern. Such patients need to be followed up closely.

Chronic Heart Failure Clinical Practice Guidelines' Class 1-A Pharmacologic Recommendations: Start-to-End Synergistic Drug Therapy?

BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure (HF) disease as an emerging epidemic has a high economic-psycho-social burden, hospitalization, readmission, morbidity and mortality rates despite many clinical practice guidelines' evidenced-based and consensus driven recommendations that include trials' initial-baseline data. OBJECTIVE: To show that the survival and hospitalization-free event rates in the reviewed chronic HF clinical practice guidelines' class I-A recommendations as initial HF drug therapy (IDT) is possibly a combination and 'start-to-end' synergistic effect of the add-on ('end') HF drug therapy (ADT) to the baseline ('start') HF drug therapy (BDT). METHODOLOGY: The references cited in the chronic HF clinical practice guidelines of the 2005, 2009, and 2013 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC), the 2006 Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA), and the 2005, 2008, and 2012 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) were reviewed and compared with the respective guidelines' and other countries' recommendations. RESULTS: The BDT using glycosides and diuretics is 79%-100% in the cited HF trials. The survival rates attributed to the BDT ('start') is 46%-89% and IDT ('end') 61%-92.8%, respectively. The hospitalization-free event rate of the BDT group: 47.1% to 85.3% and IDT group 61.8%-90%, respectively. Thus, the survival and hospitalization-free event rates of the ADT is 0.4%-15% and 4.6% to 14.7%, respectively. The extrapolated BDT survival is 8%-51% based on a 38% estimated natural HF survival rate for the time period109. CONCLUSION: The contribution of baseline HF drug therapy (BDT) is relevant in terms of survival and hospitalization-free event rates compared to the HF class 1-A guidelines initial drug therapy recommendations (IDT). Further, the proposed initial HF drug ('end') therapy (IDT) has possible synergistic effects with the baseline HF drug ('start') therapy (BDT) and is essentially the add on HF drug therapy (ADT) in our analysis. The polypharmacy HF treatment is a synergistic effect due to BDT and ADT.

Prediction of Symptomatic Embolism in Filipinos With Infective Endocarditis Using the Embolic Risk French Calculator.

BACKGROUND: Cardioembolic events are life-threatening complications of infective endocarditis (IE). The embolic risk French calculator estimates the embolic risk in IE computed on admission. Variables in this tool include age, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, prior embolism, vegetation length, and Staphylococcus aureus on culture. A computed risk of > 7% was considered high in the development of this tool. Knowledge of this risk applied in our local setting is important to guide clinicians in preventing such catastrophic complications. Among patients with IE, we aim to determine the efficacy of the embolic risk French calculator, using a computed score of > 7%, in predicting major embolic events. METHODS: All adults admitted from 2013 to 2016 with definite IE were included. The risk for embolic events was computed on admission. All were monitored for the duration of admission for the occurrence of the primary outcome (any major embolic event: arterial emboli, intracranial hemorrhage, pulmonary infarcts, or aneurysms). Secondary outcomes were: 1) composite of death and embolic events; and 2) death from any cause. RESULTS: Eighty-seven adults with definite IE were included. Majority had a valvular heart disease and preserved ejection fraction (EF). The mitral valve was most commonly involved. Embolic events occurred in 25 (29%). Multivariate analysis identified a high embolic score > 7% (relative risk (RR): 15.12, P < 0.001), vegetation area ≥ 18 mm2 (RR: 6.39, P < 0.01), and a prior embolism (RR: 5.18, P = 0.018) to be independent predictors of embolic events. For the composite of embolic events and death, independent predictors include a high score of > 7% (RR: 13.56, P < 0.001) and a prior embolus (RR: 13.75, P = 0.002). Independent predictors of death were a high score > 7% (RR: 6.20, P = 0.003) and EF ≤ 45% (RR: 9.91, P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Cardioembolic events are more prevalent in our study compared to previous data. The embolic risk French calculator is a useful tool to estimate and predict risk for embolic events and in-hospital mortality. The risk of developing embolic events should be weighed against the risks of early preventive cardiac surgery, as to institute timely and appropriate management.

Smoking-attributable burden of lung cancer in the Philippines.

BACKGROUND: In the Philippines, smoking is highly prevalent and tobacco control policies fail to fully implement the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control provisions. To aid in policy change, intervention implementation, monitoring and evaluation, this study aimed to provide the first internally consistent and latest Philippine estimates of the following: disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) lost due to lung cancer; population-attributable fractions (PAFs) of smoking; and smoking-attributable lung cancer DALYs. METHODS: This study applied the Global Burden of Disease and Comparative Risk Assessment frameworks to secondary data, supplemented by expert opinion. A comprehensive internally consistent assessment of disease epidemiology was conducted using DISMOD II and disease impact was quantified as DALYs. PAFs were calculated using the smoking impact ratio and Monte Carlo uncertainty analyses were conducted. RESULTS: For 2008, lung cancer incidence and mortality estimates were 10 871 cases and 9871 deaths respectively. Lung cancer accounted for an estimated 267 787 DALYs lost, 99% of which were due to years of life lost. Overall, the PAF of smoking was 65% and a total of 173 103 DALYs were smoking-attributable. There were increasing trends in incidence, mortality and DALY rates with age. The majority of incidence (72%), mortality (71%) and disease burden (72%) occurred among men, who also had higher PAF estimates. CONCLUSIONS: Considerable health gains could be achieved if smoking exposure were reduced in the Philippines. Strong enforcement of measures like increasing taxation to the WHO-endorsed rate, expanding smoke-free environments, and requiring large graphic warnings within a comprehensive tobacco control programme is recommended.

Economic Burden of Community-Acquired Pneumonia among Adults in the Philippines: Its Equity and Policy Implications in the Case Rate Payments of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

OBJECTIVES: To determine 1) the cost of hospitalization, the 1-week postdischarge cost, the total cost, and the economic burden of community-acquired pneumonia among patients aged 19 years or older in the Philippines and 2) the difference between the estimated costs and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) pneumonia case rate payments. METHODS: The study involved two tertiary private hospitals in the Philippines. Using the societal perspective, both health care and non-health care costs were determined. A base-case analysis and sensitivity analyses were performed, and the economic burden of pneumonia was determined using PhilHealth claims. RESULTS: The estimated cost of hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia-moderate risk (CAP-MR) ranged from Philippine peso (PHP) 36,153 to 113,633 (US $852-2678) and its 1-week postdischarge cost ranged from PHP1450 to 8800 (US $34-207). The cost of hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia-high risk (CAP-HR) ranged from PHP104,544 to 249,695 (US $2464-5885) and PHP101,248 to 243, 495 (US $2386-5739) using invasive and noninvasive ventilation, respectively. The postdischarge cost for CAP-HR ranged from PHP1716 to 10,529 (US $40-248). If only health care cost was considered, the cost ranged from PHP24,403 to 89,433 for CAP-MR and PHP92,848 to 213,395 for CAP-HR. The present PhilHealth case rate payments are PHP15,000 (US $354) and PHP32,000 (US $754) for CAP-MR and CAP-HR, respectively. Based on the number of PhilHealth claims for 2012 and the estimated health care cost, the economic burden of pneumonia in 2012 was PHP8.48 billion for CAP-MR and PHP643.76 million for CAP-HR. CONCLUSIONS: The estimated health care cost of hospitalization is markedly higher than the PhilHealth case rate payments. As per the study results, the economic burden of pneumonia is, thus, significantly higher than PhilHealth estimates.

Socio-demographic factors and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among filipinos from the LIFECARE cohort.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome(MetS) is an aggregation of multiple metabolic risk factors shown to lead to the development of cardiovascular disease. The International Diabetes Federation(IDF) and the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel Ⅲ(mNCEP) criteria are used in identifying MetS. This report will determine the prevalence of MetS and its component risk factors of the Philippine cohort of the LIFE course study in CARdiovascular disease Epidemiology(LIFECARE). METHODS: Our study recruited 3,072 participants aged 20-50 years old from Metro Manila and four nearby provinces. Baseline anthropometric and clinical parameters were measured. Prevalence of MetS and its component factors were determined. Associations with socio-demographic factors were determined. RESULTS: The prevalence of MetS was 19.7% and 25.6% by IDF and mNCEP, respectively(kappa 0.83). Both were associated with increasing age, urban residence, and employed status. It was higher in females by IDF and in males by mNCEP. IDF missed 40% of males and 10% of females identified with MetS by mNCEP. More males were identified by the mNCEP as MetS despite relatively normal waist circumference. CONCLUSION: MetS is common in the Philippines among older, educated, and urban residents. The mNCEP criteria identified more MetS than the IDF criteria.

Cardiovascular manifestations in Noonan syndrome: Report of three cases

OBJECTIVES: Noonan syndrome is a rare disease presenting with phenotypic features. Over two-thirds of patients with Noonan Syndrome have congenital heart defects with pulmonic stenosis as the most common cardiac abnormality. As a means of focusing on these complications, we report three patients with stigmata of Noonan Syndrome, each of whom had a combination of pulmonic stenosis and other cardiac abnormalities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The clinical features and cardiac abnormalities of three patients with Noonan Syndrome were studied, and a literature review on cardiovascular manifestations of this syndrome was undertaken. RESULTS: The three patients we report had physical features compatible with Noonan Syndrome. Pulmonic stenosis is common among three cases and other cardiac abnormalities were also noted with the aid of 2D-echocardiogram. CONCLUSION: The existence of several types of cardiac abnormalities within one syndrome is unusual and requires further investigation. Thorough history and physical examination is of utmost importance in diagnosing a rare condition with associated cardiac abnormalities. Recognition of common abnormalities in patients with Noonan Syndrome would aid both clinical course and management of this rare condition.

Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in relation to socio-demographic profile of the life course study in cardiovascular disease epidemiology study (LIFECARE) Philippine cohort

OBJECTIVE: To describe the distribution of the clinical cardiovascular risk profile of the LIFECARE Philippine cohort in relation to its socio-demographic factors. METHODS: We recruited a total of 3,072 apparently healthy participants from Manila and nearby provinces of Rizal, Batangas, Bulacan and Quezon. Face-to-face interview was done to obtain socio-demographic data. Baseline clinical parameters and biochemical tests were obtained. Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors was determined by sex, place of residence, level of education and employment. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of diabetes mellitus was at 5%, similar between sexes, area class, educational attainment and employment status. More smokers were male, employed or with an elementary level of education. Prevalence of hypertension was at 14.5% and was seen more in males, urban dwellers, employed or with an elementary level of education. Dyslipidemia was seen more in males, living in the rural areas, employed or with a college level of education. Lastly, obese participants were seen more in females, living in urban areas, employed with a college level of eduction. CONCLUSION: Older, male and employed participants who are living in the urban areas have more cardiovascular risk factors.

"You are what you eat:" Self-reported preferences for food taste and cooking methods of adult Filipinos (20-50 years old)

OBJECTIVE: To describe the self-reported preferences for food taste and cooking methods of adult Filipinos (20-50 years old). METHODS: This is a cross-sectional community survey of 3,072 adults from Metro Manila, Bulacan, Batangas, Quezon, Rizal. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There were differences in preferred tastes of males (food that tasted "just right", spicy) vs. females (salty); younger adults (sweet, spicy) vs. older adults (bland); urban (salty, spicy) vs. rural adults ("just right") adults with higher education (sweet, salty, spicy) vs. those with less schooling who liked food which tasted "just right." Smokers preferred spicy taste vs. non-smokers who liked sweet-tasting food. Adults who reported having had alcohol intake preferred spicy food. Those who reported feeling stressed liked savoury taste (sweet, salty) while those who were not stressed liked food which tasted "just right." Cooking with oil was the usual and the most preferred cooking method. Younger adults and smokers liked to use oil in cooking. Food which tasted "just right"/moderate was most preferred by adult Filipinos with hpertension or MeTS. Diabetics did not prefer sweet tasting food. More diabetics (p=0.05) and those with MeTS (p=0.003) usually use other cooking methods instead of frying. Eliciting self-reported taste preferences as well as the usual and preferred cooking methods is important for nutritional management and relevant lifestyle advice which healthcare providers should incorporate in their management of patients, especially those with hypertension, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.

Where we are: socio-ecological and health profile of the Philippine LIFEcourse study in CARdiovascular disease epidemiology (LIFECARE) study sites

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe the socio-ecological and health profile of the Philippine LIFECARE study sites, its health care services and leading causes of mortality and morbidity. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study that recruited participants aged 20-50 years from Metro Manila and four provinces (Bulacan, Batangas, Quezon, Rizal). Study sites were characterized according to their geographical area, terrain and environmental profile, and available health care system. RESULTS: 3,072 subejects were included, with male-to-female ratio of 1:1.3 and majority aged 30-50 years. Metro Manila was the most congested site. Two-thirds of the 62 villages (barangays) were rural, outside the town proper, and in lowlands. One-fourth were along coastal area. Almost all were accessible by public transportation. Majority have reduced forest cover, but were relatively safe from environmental hazards. Rural health units, hospitals, and professional health care workers were concentrated in Metro Manila. Leading cause of morbidity was respiratory tract infection, while cardiovascular diseases caused most of mortalities. CONCLUSION: Study sites were mainly rural, outside the town proper and in lowlands, with available public transportation. There is an unequal distribution of health resources. Cardiovascular diseases is still the leading cause of mortality. The disparities in geographical access to health care play an important role in shaping human health.

Who we are: Demographic and stress profile of the Philippine LIFECARE cohort

OBJECTIVE: To describe the demographic and stress profile of the participants in the LIFECARE cohort. METHODS: The Life Course Study in Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology (LIFECARE) is a community-based prospective cohort of apparently healthy individuals aged 20 to 50 years old with no preexisting cardiovascular disease. The second phase out of four phases of study involves collection of baseline socio-demographic, anthropometric, biochemical and cardiovascular parameters and stress profiles. It was conducted via face-to-face interview using a survey questionnaire. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A total of 3072 participants from Metro Manila and 4 provinces in Luzon were recruited. The female to male ratio was 1.3:1. Majority of the participants were aged 30 years old and above. Most were married, employed and literate. Majority attained at least high school level of education. Loss of job was the most common stressor experienced in the past year. Majority of the cohort reported occasional experience of general stress and moderate level of financial stress. Occurrence of general stress within the past year was higher among females (p < 0.001), younger age-group (p=0.006), and among those who reached college level of education (p<0.001). Furthermore, level of current financial stress was high to severe among older age-group (p=0.004), and among widow/widower/separated (p<0.0001). While the relationship between psychosocial stress and physical illness had not been established in this study, there is a need to investigate demographics and psychosocial stress, and their implications in increasing adverse health outcomes in general, and cardiovascular risk in particular.

Prevalence of coronary artery disease among adult patients with congenital heart disease who underwent coronary angiogram at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital from September 1998 to November 2011

OBJECTIVES: To determine prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) among adult patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), who underwent Coronary Angiography (CA) at the UP-PGH. Secondary: to determine severity of CAD lesions among these patients. METHODS: This is a descriptive study of adult patients with Congenital Heart Disease who underwent selective coronary angiography from September 1998 to December 2010 at the Philippine General Hospital. RESULTS: 52 adult patients with CHD underwent CA, Ten (19%) had angiographic evidence of coronary atherosclerosis visually. Significant CAD was found in 11.5% (n=6), all patients being ≥ 40 years old (mean age 54 ± 7.9 years; range 47 -61); 4 (66%) are female; Five (83%) have documented traditional CVD risk factors, mostly hypertensive (33%). None with significant CAD had cyanosis, 4 patients (66%) have typical chest pain. Majority of CHD's were simple (61%), mostly atrial septal defects (36%). Four (n=4)(70%) patients with Simple CHD, 2 (30%) patients with Intermediate CHD and none of those with Complex CHD had significant CAD. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of CAD among ACHD patients using CA in this study is 11.5%. This study supports the notion of routine CA among patients with ACHD ≥ 35 years old with traditional CV risk factors. Need for primary prevention of CAD and modification of traditional CV risk factors among these patients is emphasized, as important with the general population.

Chronic heart failure guidelines: A critique

BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure (HF) disease as an emerging epidemic has a high economic burden, hospitalization, readmission, morbidity rates despite many clinical practice guidelines recommendations. OBJECTIVE: To show that the attributed survival and hospitalization-free event rates in the reviewed chronic HF clinical practice guidelines' Class I-A recommendations as "initial HF drug therapy" is basically "add-on HF drug therapy" to the "baseline HF drug therapy" thereby under-estimating the "baseline HF drug therapy" significant contribution to the clinical outcome. METHODOLOGY: The references cited in the chronic HF clinical practice guidelines of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC), the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA), and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) were reviewed and compared with the respective guidelines' and other countries' recommendations. RESULTS: The "baseline HF drug therapy" using glycosides and diuretics is 79-100% in the cited HF trials. The survival and hospitalization event-free rates attributed to the "baseline HF drug therapy" are 46-89% and 61.8-90%, respectively. The survival and hospitalization-free event rate of the "initial HF drug therapy" is 61-92.8% and 61.8-90%, respectively. Thus the survival and hospitalization event-free rates of the "add-on HF drug therapy" are 0.4-15% and 4.6% to 14.7%, respectively. The extrapolated "baseline HF drug therapy" survival is 8-51% based on a 38% natural HF survival rate for the time period. CONCLUSION: The contribution of "baseline HF drug therapy" is relevant in terms of survival and hospitalization event-free rates compared to the HF Class 1-A guidelines proposed "initial HF drug therapy" which is in essence an "add-on HF drug therapy" in this analysis.

A community-based validation study of the short-form 36 version 2 Philippines (Tagalog) in two cities in the Philippines.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity and reliability of the Philippines (Tagalog) Short Form 36 Health Survey version 2 (SF-36v2(®)) standard questionnaire among Filipinos residing in two cities. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: The official Philippines (Tagalog) SF-36v2 standard (4-week recall) version was pretested on 30 participants followed by formal and informal cognitive debriefing. To obtain the feedback on translation by bilingual respondents, each SF-36v2 question was stated first in English followed by Tagalog. No revisions to the original questionnaire were needed except that participants thought it was appropriate to incorporate "po" in the instructions to make it more polite. Face-to-face interviews of 562 participants aged 20-50 years living in two barangays (villages) in the highly urbanized city of Makati City (Metro Manila) and in urban and rural barangays in Tanauan City (province of Batangas) were subsequently conducted. Content validity, item level validity, reliability and factor structure of the SF-36v2 (Tagalog) were examined. RESULTS: Content validity of the SF-36v2 was assessed to be adequate for assessing health status among Filipinos. Item means of Philippines (Tagalog) SF-36v2 were similar with comparable scales in the US English, Singapore (English and Chinese) and Thai SF-36 version 1. Item-scale correlation exceeded 0.4 for all items except the bathing item in PF (correlation: 0.31). In exploratory factor analysis, the US two-component model was supported. However, in confirmatory factor analysis, the Japanese three-component model fit the Tagalog data better than the US two-component model. CONCLUSIONS: The Philippines (Tagalog) SF-36v2 is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring health status among residents of Makati City (Metro Manila) and Tanauan City (Province of Batangas).

Smoking burden in the Philippines

BACKGROUND: The 2nd National Nutrition and Health Survey (NNHeS II) was conducted in 2008 to measure the prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases and risk factors among adult Filipinos 20 years or older. One of the risk factors measured was smoking. METHODS: The survey used a stratified multi-stage sampling design and covered the 17 regions of the country. The clinical component included Filipino adults 20 years or older. Data was collected using health questionaires; anthropometric measurements were made, and blood examinations performed on all participants. The prevalence of smoking was determined. RESULTS: A total of 7,700 subjects were included in the survey. The over-all prevalence of current smokers was 31% (53.2% and 12.5% for men and women, respectively). 14% were former smokers (20.9% of men and 9.5% of women) while 25.9% of men and 78.1% of women were never smokers.Among current male smokers, the highest prevalence (57.7%) belonged to the 20-29 age group. While among current female smokers, the highest prevalence (23.2%) belonged to the greater than 70-year-old category.There were more current smokers in the rural areas (33.1%) than the urban areas (28.9%) and there were more current and former smokers among respondents whose educational attainment was at least tertiary level (62.7%). CONCLUSION: Tobacco use in the Philippines is still prevalent at 31% and is predominantly composed of males in the 20-29 age group. Current smoking is highest among rural dwellers and among individuals with elementary education, while majority of women and college level respondents are never smokers.