Assessment of the relationship between dependency scores and carbon monoxide levels in expiratory air of smokers

Abstract

Introduction: Measurement of carbon monoxide (CO) levels in the expiratory air is frequently used in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up stages of smoking dependence. Since the CO is excreted from the body within 24 hours after quitting cigarettes, the immediate positive effect of quitting is motivating for patients. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the CO levels in the expiratory air of smokers and their Fagerström nicotine addiction scores. Methods: The study included a total of 1942 people who applied to the Family Physician Smoking Cessation Clinic at the Düzce University Medical Faculty between June 2015 and February 2016. The Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) was applied and CO measurement of expiratory air was performed using the piCO Smokerlyzer® device. The relationship between the nicotine dependence of the patients and the results of the CO measurements in their expiratory air was investigated. The SPSS 20.0 program was used in the analysis of the data.Results: Of the total, 1339 (%68,9) of the patients were male and 603 (%31,1)’i were female. The ages of the sampling group ranged from 15 to 87 and the average age was 37,3±11,9. The FTND levels of the participants were very low in 198 (%10,2), low in 430 (%22,2), moderate in 326 (%16,8), high in 621 (%31,9) and very high in 367 (%18,9). There was a positive correlation between the CO results and FTND scores (r = 0.293; p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that causes cell death by reducing oxygen to the tissues. The negative effects are clearly seen in smokers. A meaningful positive relationship was found between the respiratory CO levels and the Fagerström scores in our study. Despite rapid CO release, the expiratory air CO measurement is a quick and easy procedure in standing patient conditions. The rapid excretion of the body allows the expiratory air CO levels to rapidly return to normal after smoking cessation in patients. This affects the motivation of patients positively.

Keywords

• dependency
• carbon monoxide
• cigarette
• bağımlılık
• karbonmonoksit
• sigara