Comparison of the Fagerström Test for Cigarette Dependence and the Heaviness of Smoking Index in the Second and Third Trimester of Pregnancy

Parental cigarette smoking before and during pregnancy in a cohort of 21 472 pregnancies

Smoking during pregnancy is one of the leading causes for adverse pregnancy outcomes. We studied parental smoking both before and during pregnancy in a retrospective cohort of 21 472 singleton pregnancies. Although most smoking women (74%) ceased tobacco use, there was possible gestational exposure to maternal cigarette smoking in every fifth pregnancy. Continued smoking throughout pregnancy was more prevalent in the partners (22%) than in the pregnant women (7%). The smoking behaviour of the women, especially the number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD), before and in early pregnancy predicted the continuation of smoking throughout the pregnancy and could be used in identifying high risk groups. In addition, their partner's smoking habits both before and during pregnancy, were associated with the likelihood that the woman would continue to smoke during her pregnancy (rs ≈ 0.4). Furthermore, continued smoking of both parents were associated with decreased birth weight, head circumference and Apgar score, and increased duration of hospital stay and need for special care after birth. Consequently, addressing the lifestyles of both parents in the health care and maternity clinics could help in reducing maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy and the adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with smoking.

Antibody response of smokers to the COVID-19 vaccination: Evaluation based on cigarette dependence

Smokers may have lower antibody titers after vaccination with a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccine. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has evaluated antibody titers after COVID-19 vaccination based on the level of smokers' cigarette dependence. In this study, we measured the level of serum anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (anti-SARS-CoV-2) spike protein receptor-binding domain (S-RBD) immunoglobulin-G (IgG) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay of 55 actively smoking Japanese social workers (firefighters, paramedics, and rescue workers) who had received two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine. Further, we assessed their cigarette dependence using the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), measured their serum cotinine levels, and tested for their correlation with anti-RBD IgG levels. Serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD protein IgG levels after BNT162b2 vaccination showed a significant negative correlation with FTND (ρ = -0.426, p = 0.001). In addition, serum cotinine level showed a significant positive correlation with FTND (ρ = 0.470, p = 0.000). However, no significant negative correlation was noted between serum cotinine and serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD protein IgG levels (ρ = -0.156, p = 0.256). Our results suggest that smokers with strong cigarette dependence have inadequate anti-SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD protein IgG levels after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination.

Psychometric properties of Fagerstrom Test of Nicotine Dependence: A systematic review

The Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (FTND) is a widely used test for assessing physical nicotine dependence. However, there is a need to assess the psychometric properties of FTND to assess its role in treatment outcome studies. The aim of the present investigation was to review the psychometric properties of the FTND. A broad systematic literature search was performed from Pubmed and PsycINFO from 2000 to 2019. The publication language was limited to English. Two review authors performed the study selection and extracted the data. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and the Rayyan software used to screen relevant studies. A total of 1471 articles retrieved from the search, of which 33 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Eleven studies related to testing the reliability of the FTND were analyzed. Twenty-five studies evaluated the Cronbach alpha of the test. Analysis of the studies revealed the questionable psychometric qualities of the adapted versions of the test across different cultures and ethnicity. It also suggested that it may not tap the appropriate constructs that would predict smoking patterns in light smokers, e-cigarette smokers, and smokeless tobacco users. Thus, further research must focus on improving the psychometric properties of FTND to enhance the measurement of nicotine dependence.