Overcoming barriers to nicotine dependence treatment

Impact of Flaxseed Oil Supplementation on Tobacco Dependence, Craving, and Haematological Parameters in Tobacco-Dependent Subjects

Background Tobacco is prevalently used in smoking or smokeless forms and remains a major public health concern worldwide, with its adverse effects on overall health. Omega-3 fatty acid (FA) has shown its promising effects in various health conditions. Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of flaxseed oil (omega-3 supplementation) on tobacco dependence, craving, withdrawal symptoms, and haematological parameters in tobacco users. Methods In this randomised, single-blind, placebo-controlled study, 104 tobacco users (54 in the omega-3 group and 50 in the placebo group) were supplemented with 10 ml of food-grade flaxseed oil and 10 ml of placebo for six months, respectively. Their demographics, frequency of daily tobacco use, tobacco dependence, tobacco craving, tobacco withdrawal symptoms, and complete blood count (CBC) were assessed at baseline (before intervention) and after a six-month intervention. Results The demographic characteristics of the two groups were similar except for gender at baseline. There were 50 males and four females in the omega-3 group, while there were 42 males and eight females in the placebo group. After a six-month flaxseed oil intervention, BMI values showed a significant reduction (p = 0.0081) in the omega-3 group when compared to baseline; however, CBC parameters did not show any significant changes when comparing baseline to follow-up values. On the contrary, haemoglobin and red blood cells (RBCs) showed significant changes when comparing the follow-ups of the omega-3 group with the placebo group, indicating p = 0.0016 and p = 0.0163, respectively. Also, omega-3 effectively decreased daily tobacco use frequency (p<0.0001), tobacco dependence (p<0.0001), and craving (p<0.0001). Conclusion Supplementation of 10 ml of flaxseed oil per day (omega-3 FA) for six months significantly reduced tobacco dependence and cravings. Additionally, the flaxseed oil supplementation effectively reduced the frequency of daily tobacco intake and modulated tobacco withdrawal symptoms. Thus, our results suggest that flaxseed oil supplementation is a useful adjunct for tobacco users who intend to quit tobacco use.

Rauchen und Nikotinabhängigkeit in Deutschland

Zusammenfassung. Theoretischer Hintergrund: Der Konsum von Tabak ist verantwortlich für zahlreiche körperliche Erkrankungen und kann zu einer psychischen Störung führen, der Nikotinabhängigkeit. Ziel: Feststellung der aktuellen Verbreitung, Therapiemöglichkeiten und Versorgungssituation von Rauchern und Nikotinabhängigen in Deutschland. Methode: Übersicht über einschlägige (versorgungs-)epidemiologische und klinische Studien. Ergebnisse: Rauchen ist stark verbreitet, Nikotinabhängigkeit eine der häufigsten psychischen Störungen. Die Wirksamkeit von Entwöhnungsbehandlungen ist empirisch gut belegt, dennoch sind nur wenige Raucher zu einem Konsumstopp bereit. Die Inanspruchnahmerate insbesondere der wirksamsten multimodalen Behandlungsprogramme ist gering, wobei es allerdings auch an professionellen Anbietern mangelt. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Versorgungssituation von Rauchern in Deutschland ist unzureichend und verbesserungsbedürftig. Als notwendig erscheinen Aufbau einer flächendeckenden Infrastruktur von Entwöhnungsanbietern sowie verbesserte Kostenerstattungsmöglichkeiten durch die Krankenkassen. Dieser Professionalisierungsprozess bietet den Psychologen interessante Chancen für neue Tätigkeitsfelder.

Clinical Implications of Smoking and Aging: Breaking Through the Barriers

In the United States, there are almost 4 million smokers older than 65. Yet, older smokers often receive suboptimal care. Inaccurate information and myths about older smokers may have become ingrained in the attitudes and beliefs of both older smokers and health care providers. In this article, prominent myths about older smokers will be explored and refuted. The realities include the following: Smoking tobacco has no benefit; it does not improve cognition or mood; smoking cessation, even among older, frail adults, produces significant benefits in terms of health and quality of life; and using filtered cigarettes or reducing the number of cigarettes smoked per day does not reduce harm. Gerontological nurses are at the forefront of treating tobacco use among older smokers. They should assess the smoking status of all older adults at every contact, treat smokers with pharmacotherapy and counseling, follow up with patients, and stay informed.

An evaluation of tobacco treatment specialist counseling performance using standardized patient interviews

In the United States, tobacco treatment specialists are professionals from a variety of backgrounds trained to deliver moderate to intensive evidence-based tobacco treatment in a variety of settings across the country. This paper reports the results of a study that examined the extent to which specialists participating in a larger study adhered to clinical practice guidelines for tobacco dependence using standardized patient assessments. A total of 64 tobacco treatment specialists completed a survey and two audiotaped standardized patient interviews. Overall, 41% and 31% of tobacco treatment specialists demonstrated 80% or more of session content and interviewing skills assessed, respectively, when required to demonstrate the skill in both standardized patient interactions. These rates increased to 85% and 56%, respectively, when using the less stringent criteria of demonstrating the skill in at least one of the two standardized patient interactions. Tobacco treatment specialists who had attended a greater number of types of tobacco treatment training exhibited both greater coverage of session content (p<.06) and greater interviewing skills (p<.02). Those who had achieved certification as a tobacco treatment specialist exhibited greater coverage of session content (p<.02), and those perceiving more positive support from their agency for their services exhibited greater interviewing skills (p=.02). Although the tobacco treatment specialists evaluated appear to have the necessary skills to deliver guideline-based intervention, they demonstrated only moderate adherence to the guidelines when expected to do so consistently across multiple assessments. Findings suggest specific components of tobacco treatment and interviewing skills that would benefit from strengthening through training and support.

Medical students' use of the stages of change model in tobacco cessation counseling

BACKGROUND

Many medical schools have incorporated the Stages of Change Model into their curricula with specific application to tobacco cessation.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the extent to which medical students were prepared to provide stage-based interventions to treat nicotine dependence.

DESIGN

Using a quasi-experimental design, medical students' counseling interactions were evaluated with a standardized patient portraying a smoker in either the precontemplation or preparation stage of change.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were 147 third-year medical students at the University of California, San Francisco.

MEASUREMENTS

Checklists completed by standardized patients evaluated students' clinical performance. Surveys administered before and after the encounters assessed students' knowledge, attitudes, confidence and previous experience with treating smoking.

RESULTS

Most students asked about tobacco use (89%), advised patients of the health benefits of quitting (74%), and assessed the patient's readiness to quit (76%). The students were more likely to prescribe medications and offer referrals to patients in the preparation than in the precontemplation stage of change (P < 0.001); however, many students had difficulty identifying patients ready to quit, and few encouraged patients to set a quit date or arranged follow-up to assess progress. Students' tobacco-related knowledge, but not their attitudes, confidence, or previous experience predicted their clinical performance.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicated evidence of students tailoring their counseling strategies to the patients' stage of change; however, they still could do more to assist their patients in quitting. Additional training and integration of cessation counseling into clinical rotations are needed.

The association between patient-reported receipt of tobacco intervention at a primary care visit and smokers' satisfaction with their health care

U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) clinical guidelines for tobacco treatment recommend that providers routinely counsel smokers using a five-step algorithm (5A's): ask about tobacco use, advise smokers to quit, assess interest in quitting, assist with treatment, and arrange follow-up. A potential barrier to compliance is providers' concern that addressing smoking might alienate smokers, especially those not ready to quit. A survey was mailed to 1,985 patients seen at one of eight Boston-area primary care practices from January 1 to March 31, 2003, and identified as smokers by chart review. The survey assessed respondents' receipt of the 5A's at their visit and their satisfaction with the provider's tobacco treatment and with their overall health care. We used multivariable logistic regression models to assess the association between satisfaction with care and patient-reported receipt of each 5A step, adjusted for age, sex, education, race, health status, smoking intensity, readiness to quit, and length of relationship with provider. Of 1,160 respondents (58% response rate), 765 reported that they smoked at the time of the visit. They reported high levels of satisfaction with their tobacco-related care and overall care. Patient-reported receipt of each 5A step was significantly associated with greater patient satisfaction with tobacco-related care and with overall health care, even after adjusting for a smoker's readiness to quit smoking. Satisfaction with overall health care increased as counseling intensity increased. Patient reports of smoking cessation interventions delivered during primary care practice are associated with greater patient satisfaction with their health care, even among smokers not ready to quit. Providers can follow USPHS guidelines with smokers without fear of alienating those not yet considering quitting.

Habits, attitudes and beliefs of smokers in four Brazilian capitals

Tobacco consumption is a major cause of death and disease, and quitting smoking is the most important thing smokers can do to benefit their health. As of the last census, 32.5% of the Brazilian population smoked, but little is known about how many wish to quit and which factors can influence them to make such a decision.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the habits, attitudes and believes of smokers in four major Brazilian cities and compare the results with data from 17 European countries.

METHODS

A total of 800 smokers were interviewed. The interviews were conducted in person and individually, using a semi-structured questionnaire. Smokers were defined as individuals who smoke at least one cigarette per week. They were recruited by intentional sampling (confronted on the street and invited to answer the questionnaire) according to pre-established quotas based on social class, gender, occupation and age. Therefore, the number of interviews in a certain population stratum within the sample was determined according to the proportion of smokers generally represented by that stratum.

RESULTS

The majority of smokers interviewed presented a low to moderate degree of dependence and wanted to stop smoking. The greater was the motivation to quit, the higher was the number of quitting attempts, as well as the probability of having received medical advice. Only 21% of the smokers had been advised to stop smoking by their doctors. The factor cited by smokers as the one that would most influence their future efforts to stop was "concern about exposing children, relatives and friends to tobacco smoke". The population of Brazil, in contrast to those of European countries, seems to have a high degree of consciousness regarding the fight against tobacco.

Assisting with tobacco cessation

Tobacco use is the primary preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States today. The consequences of smoking are well documented, and it is the responsibility of every health care provider to routinely screen and offer treatment to their patients who smoke. Nurses are no exception; we are uniquely qualified to provide practical skills training to our patients. Irrefutable data exist that even 3 minutes of counseling can have a positive influence that moves the patient who smokes further along the continuum toward quitting. The treatment recommendations and strategies that will be discussed are found in the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research guideline entitled "Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence." The algorithm will be broken down into practical interview questions and activities that every nurse can implement with his or her patients, regardless of practice setting.

How prevalent is smoking and nicotine dependence in primary care in Germany?

AIMS

Identifying, diagnosing and reducing nicotine use, dependence and related morbidity are considered key responsibilities of primary care physicians. Little is known, however, about the magnitude of the problem in primary care and the extent of treatment in Germany. This paper reports on (1) life-time and point prevalences of smoking and nicotine dependence among unselected consecutive German primary care attendees; (2) associations of smoking status with socio-demographic features and (3) rates of doctors' recognition and treatment patterns.

DESIGN

Data came from the Smoking and Nicotine Dependence Awareness and Screening Study (SNICAS), a nationally representative two-stage epidemiological point prevalence study (stage I: prestudy characterization of a nation-wide sample of 889 primary care doctors; stage II: target day assessment of 28,707 unselected consecutive patients).

RESULTS

(1) Of all primary care attendees, 71% reported having ever used a tobacco product (life-time regular smokers 51%; life-time occasional smokers 21.5%.). Point prevalence (4 weeks) of smoking was considerably lower (occasional use 4.7%, regular use 24.9%). The rate of DSM-IV nicotine dependence (13.9%) was highest among the youngest age groups. (2) Rates of regular and dependent smokers decreased markedly with age, mainly as a result of the steadily increasing numbers of male ex-smokers and low numbers of older female life-time ever smokers. Young age, unemployment, being single, divorced, widowed or separated from the partner were associated with higher rates of smoking or nicotine dependence. (3) In about 25% of patients, primary care doctors failed to recognize the patient's current smoking and/or nicotine dependence. Case recognition was highest for nicotine dependence (76%). Among recognized cases, 56% had ever received any kind of advice or counselling about quitting; yet only 12% had ever participated in any smoking cessation programme.

CONCLUSIONS

Beyond the confirmation of the well-established finding of a high prevalence of smokers in primary care, this paper demonstrates (1) considerable point prevalence of DSM-IV nicotine dependence (14%); (2) that it is noteworthy, however, that the rates are not higher than those in community samples; and (3) a considerable variation by age group with highest rates among the young (22-31%), but considerably lower rates among subjects aged 50 and above (16% to 0.9% in the oldest). This substantial association with age seems to be due mainly to the low smoking rates in older women and the increasing numbers of successful, particularly male, quitters from 40 years onwards. Recognition of primary care patients' smoking status by primary-care practitioners was moderate, and the frequency of past and current primary care interventions was low. These findings call for systematic investigation into barriers that impede the implementation of smoking cessation interventions in primary care settings.

Smoking-related attitudes and clinical practices of medical personnel in Minnesota

CONTEXT

Effective clinic-based, smoking-cessation activities are not widely implemented.

OBJECTIVE

To compare and contrast the smoking-cessation attitudes and clinical practices of five types of primary healthcare team members.

DESIGN AND SETTING

From July to October 2002, a cross-sectional survey was mailed to randomly selected primary care physicians (MDs), advanced practice nurses (APRNs), registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and medical assistants (MAs).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Factors associated with limited smoking-cessation service delivery.

RESULTS

The overall response rate was 68% (n =3021). Most respondents reported that patients' smoking status was consistently documented at their clinic (79%); other system prompts were less common (30%). Many respondents reported documenting smoking status or recommending quitting; few reported consistently assessing, assisting, or arranging follow-up. The mean rank of smoking cessation as an important preventive service among nine preventive services declined from MDs (1.9) to APRNs (2.5), RNs (3.4), LPNs (4.2), and MAs (4.6). Smoking prevalence increased from 1% in MDs to 3% APRNs, 9% RNs, 17% LPNs, and 22% MAs. Those who reported no consistent smoking-cessation service delivery were more likely to be RNs, LPNs, or MAs, currently smoke, and work more hours. They were less likely to consider patients receptive to cessation messages, to consider themselves qualified to counsel on smoking, or to work in clinics that had smoking-cessation guidelines or system prompts such as chart reminders.

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking-cessation service delivery may be enhanced if educational offerings, system changes, and training include all clinical staff members.

Medical nutrition therapy for the treatment of obesity

Most physicians do not have the benefit of in-house registered dietitians to facilitate patient evaluation and create treatment plans. Fortunately, with the new tools that are available to physicians and patients, energy balance can be evaluated. Then, a balanced deficit diet can be encouraged to achieve a weight management goal while maintaining healthy food intake patterns. Patients should also be counseled regarding weight maintenance diets to prevent weight gain. A low-fat diet is preferred because the patient will benefit from improved cardiac risk as a result of weight loss and a restricted saturated fat content is healthier. Other diets and approaches are acceptable if they are hypocaloric and do not negatively impact the patient's health (eg, some high-protein, high-fat diets can increase lipid levels; high-carbohydrate diets can increase triglycerides in patients who have type 2 diabetes). As patients lose weight, further increases in physical activity and exercise should be emphasized to help maintain lost weight. It is also helpful from a behavioral perspective to encourage patients to monitor their weight, food intake, and physical activity. Medical offices can support patients by providing weekly or biweekly weigh-ins to track progress and provide ongoing feedback. Patients should be reminded that the ultimate goal of any weight management program is gradual, incremental weight losses that are maintained over time. Sustainable and enjoyable changes in eating practices and physical activity patterns must be made along with a lifelong commitment to health.

Dual Tobacco use among Native American adults in southeastern North Carolina

OBJECTIVE

While patterns of smokeless tobacco (ST) use and cigarette smoking are well documented, the epidemiology of simultaneous use of both tobacco products is less well studied, particularly among Native American populations. This study examines correlates of dual tobacco use among Lumbee Indian adults in southeastern North Carolina.

METHODS

A telephone survey among 400 adult Lumbee Indians in Pembroke, North Carolina, collected information on demographics, current tobacco use, amounts of tobacco used, and tobacco related attitudes.

RESULTS

Total of 241 (60.3%) individuals did not currently use tobacco, 104 (26%) currently smoked, 74 (18.5%) currently used ST, and 19 (4.8%) used both products. Thus, 19 of 104 (18.3%) current smokers and 19 of 74 (25.7%) current ST users reported dual tobacco use. Compared to exclusive users of either tobacco product, dual tobacco users were intermediate in age and frequency of church attendance, had lower levels of education, and were the highest proportion of subjects reporting no friends and few close relatives. There was no difference by gender or marital status by tobacco use categories. While exclusive cigarette smokers reported smoking more cigarettes per day than dual tobacco users, overall, dual tobacco users had higher estimated daily nicotine exposure levels. Logistic regression analysis showed that younger age and infrequent church attendance predicted exclusive cigarette smoking, while older age and less education predicted exclusive ST use. Dual tobacco use was predicted only by less education.

CONCLUSIONS

Simultaneous use of ST and cigarettes is comparatively more common among Lumbee Indian adults than the general population and has an epidemiology distinct from either exclusive cigarette smoking or ST use. These data are the first to explore social support as well as tobacco-related attitudes among dual tobacco users in a Native American population. Recognition of these patterns of dual tobacco use would be important in any future tobacco intervention among Lumbee Indian adults.