Clinical Practice Guideline of Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) on Pharmacological Treatment of Tobacco Dependence 2023

Introduction: There are multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the efficacy and safety of pharmacological treatments against nicotine dependence. However, there are few guidelines to answer frequent questions asked by a clinician treating a smoker. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to facilitate the treatment of tobacco addiction. Material and methods: 12 PICO questions are formulated from a GLOBAL PICO question: “Efficacy and safety of pharmacological treatment of tobacco dependence”. A systematic review was carried out to answer each of the questions and recommendations were made. The GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) system was used to grade the certainty of the estimated effects and the strength of the recommendations. Results: Varenicline, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), bupropion and cytisine are more effective than placebo. Varenicline and combined nicotine therapy are superior to the other therapies. In smokers with high dependence, a combination of drugs is recommended, being more effective those associations containing varenicline. Other optimization strategies with lower efficacy consist of increasing the doses, the duration, or retreat with varenicline. In specific populations varenicline or NRT is recommended. In hospitalized, the treatment of choice is NRT. In pregnancy it is indicated to prioritize behavioral treatment. The financing of smoking cessation treatments increases the number of smokers who quit smoking. There is no scientific evidence of the efficacy of pharmacological treatment of smoking cessation in adolescents. Conclusions: The answers to the 12 questions allow us to extract recommendations and algorithms for the pharmacological treatment of tobacco dependence. (AU)

Clinical Practice Guideline of Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) on Pharmacological Treatment of Tobacco Dependence 2023.

INTRODUCTION: There are multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the efficacy and safety of pharmacological treatments against nicotine dependence. However, there are few guidelines to answer frequent questions asked by a clinician treating a smoker. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to facilitate the treatment of tobacco addiction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 12 PICO questions are formulated from a GLOBAL PICO question: "Efficacy and safety of pharmacological treatment of tobacco dependence". A systematic review was carried out to answer each of the questions and recommendations were made. The GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) system was used to grade the certainty of the estimated effects and the strength of the recommendations. RESULTS: Varenicline, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), bupropion and cytisine are more effective than placebo. Varenicline and combined nicotine therapy are superior to the other therapies. In smokers with high dependence, a combination of drugs is recommended, being more effective those associations containing varenicline. Other optimization strategies with lower efficacy consist of increasing the doses, the duration, or retreat with varenicline. In specific populations varenicline or NRT is recommended. In hospitalized, the treatment of choice is NRT. In pregnancy it is indicated to prioritize behavioral treatment. The financing of smoking cessation treatments increases the number of smokers who quit smoking. There is no scientific evidence of the efficacy of pharmacological treatment of smoking cessation in adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: The answers to the 12 questions allow us to extract recommendations and algorithms for the pharmacological treatment of tobacco dependence.

Relación entre la autoeficacia para dejar de fumar, la voluntad propia y quién envía a los pacientes / Relationship between self-efficacy to quit smoking, own will and who referred patients

Objetivo: Comprobar si el grado de autoeficacia (AE) para dejar de fumar es diferente según quién remita al fumador a la consulta de tabaquismo y evaluar si el grado de AE medida según procedencia tiene impacto en el resultado (éxito o fracaso). Método: Estudio observacional, longitudinal (cohorte prospectiva), multicéntrico, en consultas para dejar de fumar de España y Argentina. Para valorar la motivación, fueron utilizados test cuantitativos (Richmond, Henry Mondor de Paris y Khimji Watts) y una escala semicuantitativa. La AE se midió con una pregunta de dos cuestionarios distintos (pregunta 4 del cuestionario de Richmond y pregunta 3 del cuestionario de Khimji-Watts). El análisis estadístico incluyó modelos descriptivos, de asociación y de regresión. Resultados: Muestra de 182 sujetos (90 [49,5%] mujeres, edad media 51,4 años [DE: 11; IC 26-77]). Con la pregunta 3 de AE del test Khimji-Watts se encontró asociación con la procedencia en los varones: acudir por voluntad propia incrementa la AE frente a los que acuden enviados desde atención primaria o desde otras especialidades. Ninguna de las variables de AE presentó asociación con el resultado en dejar de fumar, pero las mujeres que acudieron por voluntad propia o enviadas desde atención primaria tienen más probabilidades de dejar de fumar. Los varones procedentes de otras especialidades y con edades medias tienen más probabilidades de fracaso. Conclusiones: Los varones que acuden a dejar de fumar por voluntad propia presentan puntuaciones más altas de AE que aquellos que acuden enviados por atención primaria y otras especialidades. No hemos encontrado una mayor abstinencia final según la puntuación de AE y la procedencia.(AU)

Objective: To check whether the degree of self-efficacy to quit smoking is different depending on who refers the smoker to the smoking cessation clinics, considering as origin: primary care, from another medical specialist or by the patient’s own volition, and to assess whether the degree of self-efficacy measured by who refers the patient has an impact on the ­outcome (success or failure). Methods: Observational, longitudinal (prospective cohort), multicentre study in smoking cessation clinics in Spain and Argentina (daily clinical practice). Quantitative tests (Richmond, Henry Mondor de Paris and Khimji Watts) and one semiquantitative test were used to assess motivation. Self-efficacy was measured with one question from two different questionnaires (question 4 of the Richmond questionnaire and question 3 of the Khimji-Watts questionnaire). Statistical analysis included descriptive, association, and regression models. Results: 182 subjects [90 (49.5%) women, mean age 51.4 years (11; 25-77)]. With question three of the auto-efficacy of the Khimji-Watts test an association was found with the origin in men: attending of their own free will increases self-efficacy compared to those who attend sent from primary care or from other specialties. None of the self-efficacy variables was associated with the outcome of quitting smoking, but women who attended of their own free will or referred from primary care are more likely to quit smoking. Men from other specialties and with middle ages are more likely to fail. Conclusions: Men referred for QS by his OV have higher SE scores (KWT3 question) than those referred by PC and OS. We did not find a higher final abstinence according to SE score and source.(AU)

Is the motivation to quit smoking a predictor of abstinence maintenance?

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to explore the utility of measuring motivation to quit smoking as a predictor of abstinence maintenance among smokers who wanted to quit and who were included in a multicenter study conducted in daily clinical practice. METHODS: This observational, longitudinal (prospective cohort), multicenter study was conducted in smoking clinics in Spain and the Argentine Republic in daily clinical practice. Motivation was assessed using three quantitative motivation tests and a Visual Analogue Scale. Statistical analysis included descriptive, association measures and logistic regression models. RESULTS: Of a total of 404 subjects, 273 were ultimately included for analysis (147 women; 53.8%), mean age 51±11 years). In one year, 53.5% (36.13% by intention to treat) of subjects (146) were successful in quitting smoking [men: 45.2% (66) and women: 54.8% (80)], with no differences between sexes. None of the scales utilized was associated, in an unquestionable or direct way, with long-term abstinence, although three of them, in a very complex model, with additional variables and added interactions, were associated with the 'result' variable, when other variables intervened in certain circumstances. CONCLUSIONS: None of the analyzed motivational scales alone demonstrated an association with success or failure in quitting smoking; thus, their use in isolation is of no value. Some of the scales analyzed might be related to the maintenance of abstinence but in complex models where other variables intervene, which makes interpretation considerably difficult. Therefore, the predictive capacity of the tests analyzed, based on the models, was low.

Certified Smoking Cessation Units in Spain: High Potential for Detection of Undiagnosed Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Profile of Newly Diagnosed Cases.

PURPOSE: Smokers attending smoking cessation units (SCUs) may offer a unique opportunity for early recognition of undiagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We aimed at assessing the impact of SCUs on the early diagnosis of COPD and describing the clinical and smoking profile of newly-diagnosed COPD cases at SCUs certified by the Spanish Society of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional observational cohort study (DIPREPOQ study) was performed in eight SEPAR-certified SCUs in Spain. Adult current smokers with no previously diagnosed respiratory disease and having one o more respiratory symptoms were included. Lung functional tests were performed and previously undiagnosed COPD cases were identified and characterized based on national guidelines. RESULTS: Out of 401 individuals newly attending the SCUs, 252 participants were included and 73 (28.9%) met the definition of previously undiagnosed COPD. A characterization of patients with COPD being newly recognized in SCUs showed: age (mean±SD) 61±9 years; men 59%; active work status 53.1%; functional class I/II dyspnea 82.8%, GOLD state mild/moderate/severe 57%/31%/12%; non-exacerbators 90%, CAT 14±4; emphysema in X-rays 40%. Most common co-morbidities were cardiovascular and psychiatric (anxiety and depression) ones. Usual smoking history included a lengthy smoking history (41±9 years) and a current consumption of 24±9 cigarettes/day. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Consistently certified SCUs can have a substantial contribution to early diagnosis of COPD. A typical profile of newly detected cases is reported, with most patients being men at their early sixties, with mild symptoms and with high and lengthy smoking history. Our study reports a high usefulness of lung functional tests to detect undiagnosed COPD in appropriately selected participants attending SCUs at a large national scale, using a standardized methodology. This is likely to be facilitated by the certification of SCUs using well-defined requirements by national scientific societies.

Documento de consenso sobre la docencia del tabaquismo en las facultades de Medicina / Consensus Document on Medical Faculty Education on the Treatment of Smoking

Se presentan los resultados del consenso alcanzado por diferentes expertos en representación de sociedades médicas respiratorias de la Comunidad Latinoamericana y de la Península Ibérica sobre cuáles deben ser los objetivos docentes y competencias asociadas (conocimientos y habilidades), así como los contenidos concretos y la necesaria dedicación horaria que las escuelas de Medicina de dicho ámbito geográfico deberían tener sobre el abaquismo. El documento desarrolla los siguientes aspectos, que cubren todo el espectro del área de conocimiento sobre tabaquismo: epidemiología, bases neurofisiológicas de la dependencia a la nicotina, factores asociados con el inicio y mantenimiento de dicho consumo, enfermedades asociadas con el tabaquismo, diagnóstico, intervención mínima, medidas terapéuticas no farmacológicas, tratamiento farmacológico y prevención

We report the results of a consensus reached by an expert group of representatives from different medical societies in Latin America on the objectives, competencies (knowledge, and skills), content, and duration of smoking cessation education in Latin American medical schools. The document discusses the following aspects: epidemiology, nicotine dependence, factors for initiation and maintenance of tobacco use, smoking-related disorders, diagnosis, minimal intervention, non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions for smoking cessation, and prevention of smoking

Enfermedad pulmonar grave asociada a vapeo: primer aviso / Severe Lung Disease Associated with Vaping: A First Warning

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Consensus Document on Medical Faculty Education on the Treatment of Smoking. / Documento de consenso sobre la docencia del tabaquismo en las facultades de Medicina.

We report the results of a consensus reached by an expert group of representatives from different medical societies in Latin America on the objectives, competencies (knowledge, and skills), content, and duration of smoking cessation education in Latin American medical schools. The document discusses the following aspects: epidemiology, nicotine dependence, factors for initiation and maintenance of tobacco use, smoking-related disorders, diagnosis, minimal intervention, non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions for smoking cessation, and prevention of smoking.

Financiación de los tratamientos para ayudar a dejar de fumar: ¿para cuándo? / Funding smoking cessation therapy: When can we expect it?

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Fagerström Test and Heaviness Smoking Index. Are they Interchangeable as a Dependence Test for Nicotine?

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree of agreement between the Fagerström Test for Cigarette Dependence (FTCD) and the Heaviness of Smoking Index (HSI) in daily smokers admitted to smoking cessation clinics from National Healthcare System in Spain and Argentine Republic. Material and methods: An observational, longitudinal, multicenter study (prospective cohort) conducted in smoking clinics in daily clinical practice. The patients were consecutively included as they attended the consultations. The statistical analysis was descriptive, and correlation and concordance tests as well as analysis and regression models were used. Results: In total, 308 subjects were included [161 women (52.3%)], with a mean age of 51.4 (10.8) years. We found an absence of agreement and the existence of a proportional difference between both tests [Regression coefficient for global series: 0.55 (0.52-0.59) p < .001]. This difference increased as the value of the FTCD score increased; that is, the higher the value of the FTCD score was, the greater the difference in relation to the value of the HSI score. Likewise, Cohen's kappa concordance coefficient, according to various combinations of categorization of both tests, showed that the agreement between these variables was only good. Approximately 20% of the subjects were not classified with the same degree of dependence by the two tests. Thus, a classification mismatch existed. Conclusions: We found an absence of agreement between both tests. These data imply that we should not substitute one test for the other when we analyze nicotine dependence in a population of smokers.

¿En qué momento deberíamos medir la autoeficacia para ayudar a dejar de fumar? / When Should We Measure Self-Efficacy as an Aid to Smoking Cessation?

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