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.

Position statement: asthma in Latin America. IS short-acting beta-2 agonist helping or compromising asthma management?

In Latin-America, with 603 million inhabitants, the average prevalence of asthma is estimated at 17%, but with wide fluctuations, ranging from 5% in some cities (Mexico) to 30% in Costa Rica. The risk of severe exacerbations seems to be higher in Latin America compared with other regions. A majority of patients uses daily quick-relief medication, with the belief that it is the most important treatment because of its rapid onset of action; without treating the underlying inflammation.

Questions and Answers on Smoking in Patients With Diffuse ILD. Use of PICO Methodology.

Introduction: The Smoking and the Diffuse Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILD) groups of ALAT and SEPAR collaborated in the preparation of this document.

Materials And Methods: This document uses PICO methodology to answer various questions on the relationship between tobacco use and diffuse ILD.

Results And Conclusions: The main recommendations are: a) moderate level of evidence and strong recommendation to consider smoking as a risk factor for the development and/or modification of the progression of diffuse ILD; b) moderate level of evidence to identify an increase in mortality in diffuse ILD, irrespective of histologic pattern.

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

: 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. 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.

Is There an Association Between the Degree of Nicotine Dependence and the Motivation to Stop Smoking?

Objective: To evaluate the association between degrees of nicotine dependence measured by the Fagerström test (FTCD) and different tests of motivation to stop smoking.

Material And Methods: Observational study, multicenter conducted in smoking clinics in daily clinical practice. Demographics, smoking status, FTCD scores, and motivation test results were collected: Richmond test (TR), Henri Mondor Paris motivation test (HMP), Khimji-Watts test (KW), and the visual analog scale of motivation to stop smoking.

SEPAR-ALAT Consensus Document on Antipneumoccal Vaccination in Smokers.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is responsible for several clinical syndromes, such as community-acquired pneumonia, sinusitis, otitis media, and others. The most severe clinical entity caused by this bacteria is undoubtedly invasive pneumococcal disease. Certain factors are known to increase the risk of presenting invasive pneumococcal disease, the most important being smoking habit and underlying concomitant diseases.