Nicotine Dependence, Consumption Pattern, and Biological Markers in Smokers With COPD

Abstract

PURPOSE: To ascertain the differences in smoking characteristics between a group of smokers with COPD and another group of healthy smokers, both of which come to the smokers' clinic in the year 2012. METHODS: This is an prospective study that included 704 active smokers. We have made a comparative study between the smoking characteristics of COPD smokers and the healthy smokers. The Fagerstrom tolerance questionnaire (FTQ) was used for study of the degree of physical nicotine dependence and CO in exhaled air and cotinine plasma levels were determined in both groups. The statistical analysis was performed using the single-factor ANOVA test for independent samples and a multiple post hoc comparison assuming equal variances using the Bonferroni test. RESULTS: Of 704 active smokers included in the study 191 (27,1%) met the criteria for COPD (124 males and 67 females) and 513 (260 males and 253 females) were healthy smokers. The group of smokers with COPD have a significantly higher age (55.98±10.42 vs 42.35±10.83; p=0.000), higher nicotine dependence (6.98±1.68 vs 6.45±1.86; p=0.003), smoke more cigarettes/day (28.61±13.37 vs 24.26±10.60; p=0.000), and a higher cumulative tobacco consumption (pack-year rate: 52.72±30.77 vs 29.64±20.47; p=0.000). The biological markers are slightly higher in the COPD group, but showed no significant differences: carbon monoxide measurements in exhaled air (19.83±9.95 vs 18.64±8.43) and plasma levels cotinine (395.75±201.92 vs 369.61±173,72). CONCLUSIONS: COPD smokers predominate in men with higher age, have a longer history of tobacco consumption (more years smoking and major pack-year rate), and, despite the disease, they smoke more cigarettes per day than the healthy smokers, which could be determined by their greater nicotine dependence. They have also higher concentrations of CO in exhaled air, an higher cotinine plasma levels. This suggest a different pattern of cigarette smoking and special difficulties to quit smoking.