International Journal of COPD (Dec 2023)
Short-Term Benefits of Smoking Cessation Improve Respiratory Function and Metabolism in Smokers
Abstract
Aldo Pezzuto,1 Alberto Ricci,1 Michela D’Ascanio,1 Alba Moretta,1 Giuseppe Tonini,2 Noemi Calabrò,1 Valeria Minoia,1 Alessia Pacini,1 Giuliana De Paolis,1 Eleonora Chichi,1 Elisabetta Carico,3 Antonella Tammaro4 1Department of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences, S Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy; 2Oncology Department, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy; 3Clinical and Molecular Medicine Department, S Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy; 4Department of Neuroscience- NESMOS, S.Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University, Rome, ItalyCorrespondence: Aldo Pezzuto, Email [email protected]: Cigarette smoke exposure is the main preventable cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Airflow limitation is closely associated with smoking exposure. Smoking could also interfere with lipid metabolism.Aim: To determine the respiratory functional and metabolic changes after smoking cessation in smokers in the short term.Methods: All patients were current smokers. They were assessed by spirometry and questionnaires such as COPD assessment test(CAT), modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) test for dyspnea, Fagestrom’s test for nicotine dependence. Exhaled CO was detected in order to evaluate smoking exposure and smoking cessation (normal value< 7 ppm). A blood sampling was eventually taken for vitamin D and cholesterol assay. All patients underwent therapy with counselling and varenicline as first-line treatment according to its schedule. Detection time: at baseline and one month after smoking cessation.Results: All patients quit smoking during treatment. The mean age was 62 with a prevalence of males. The analysis revealed the following mean values at baseline: CAT mean score was 15, pack-years 35.5, Fagestrom’s Test mean score 5.0. The West’s value was 8.5, whereas Body mass index (BMI) was 25.5.Cigarette daily consumption mean value was 22.5. The comparison before and at follow up one month after smoking cessation about functional and metabolic parameters, show us the following results: FEV 1 was increased by 200 mL (p< 0.02), FEF 25/75 was improved as well as mMRC test. The eCO was dropped to as low as 8 ppM. Interestingly the vitamin D level was increased from 25 to 28 ng/mL without any support therapy. The cholesterol total level was reduced and CAT value and DLCO were also significantly improved.Conclusion: Quit smoking is useful to improve symptoms, respiratory function and metabolic parameters in the short term.Keywords: airflow limitation, smoking cessation, lipid metabolism