Effect of smoking cessation on sexual functions in men aged 30 to 60 years

Influence of quitting smoking on diabetes-related complications: A scoping review with a systematic search strategy

INTRODUCTION

Smoking in people with diabetes markedly elevates their risk of developing complications and increases the likelihood of cardiovascular mortality. This review is the first to specifically provide evidence-based analysis about the influence of quitting smoking on diabetes-related complications in people with type 2 diabetes.

METHOD

The present review was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Extension for Scoping Reviews. All human clinical studies assessing the effects of stopping smoking cessation on diabetes-related complications were included. PubMed and Embase were screened until January 2024. References of primary studies and principal peer-reviewed scientific journals in the field were manually screened.

RESULTS

We identified a total of 1023 studies. Only 26 met the criteria for eligibility. In general quitting smoking is associated with decreased risks of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. Regarding microvascular complications, the strongest evidence for the beneficial effects of smoking cessation is observed in diabetic nephropathy. However, the relationship between smoking cessation and retinopathy, neuropathy, diabetic foot complications and diabetic-related erectile dysfunction, is poorly investigated.

CONCLUSION

Quitting smoking offers significant advantages in managing diabetes-related complications, significantly lowering the risks of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and diabetic nephropathy. This underscores the importance of cessation. Providing evidence-based information on the benefits of stopping smoking for people with type 2 diabetes who smoke, can bolster smoking cessation efforts in the context of diabetes management.

Heart Failure and Erectile Dysfunction: a Review of the Current Evidence and Clinical Implications

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Heart failure (HF) and erectile dysfunction (ED) are two common conditions that affect millions of men worldwide and impair their quality of life. ED is a frequent complication of HF, as well as a possible predictor of cardiovascular events and mortality. ED deserves more attention from clinicians and researchers.

RECENT FINDINGS

The pathophysiology of ED in HF involves multiple factors, such as endothelial dysfunction, reduced cardiac output, neurohormonal activation, autonomic imbalance, oxidative stress, inflammation, and drug side effects. The diagnosis of ED in HF patients should be based on validated questionnaires or objective tests, as part of the routine cardiovascular risk assessment. The therapeutic management of ED in HF patients should be individualized and multidisciplinary, considering the patient's preferences, expectations, comorbidities, and potential drug interactions. The first-line pharmacological treatment for ED in HF patients with mild to moderate symptoms (NYHA class I-II) is phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is), which improve both sexual function and cardiopulmonary parameters. PDE5Is are contraindicated in patients who use nitrates or nitric oxide donors for angina relief, and these patients should be advised to avoid sexual activity or to use alternative treatments for ED. Non-pharmacological treatments for ED, such as psychotherapy or couples therapy, should also be considered if there are significant psychosocial factors affecting the patient's sexual function or relationship. This review aims to summarize the most recent evidence regarding the prevalence of ED, the pathophysiology of this condition with an exhaustive analysis of factors involved in ED development in HF patients, a thorough discussion on diagnosis and management of ED in HF patients, providing practical recommendations for clinicians.

Predictors of sexual dysfunction in HIV-infected men

Aims: The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is higher than in those without this infection. Sexual dysfunction in HIV-infected people is associated with adverse outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the predictors of sexual function in people infected with HIV. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done at Behavioral disease counseling centers. Samples were taken from 186 HIV-infected men. Demographic variables were recorded. Sexual function and psychological status were assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire, the DASS-21 (Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales), and the Domestic Violence Questionnaire. To examine the CD4 cells and hormonal profiles, blood samples were taken from each patient. The data were analyzed using the SPSS18 software. Results: A multivariate analysis showed that hepatitis B infection (P = 0.034, OR = 9.6), smoking (P = 0.026, OR = 2.5), severe stress (P = 0.04, OR = 0.32) and severe depression (P = 0.042, OR = 6.9) were the predictors of sexual dysfunction in HIV-infected men. Conclusion: This study showed that smoking, hepatitis B infection, severe depression, and severe stress could be predictors of sexual dysfunction in those men.

Using COVID-19 Symbols in Anti-Smoking Fear Appeal Advertisements for Encouraging Smoking Cessation among Israeli Smokers

The current study aims to reveal whether using COVID-19 as the threatening message in anti-smoking ads will influence smokers differently than other threat appeals. All ads that were chosen for this study were created by the Israel Cancer Association/the Israeli Ministry of Health. Since the coronavirus has proven to have far-reaching effects on the human respiratory system, it is directly connected to smoking. The present study included semi-structured in-depth interviews with experts, a pre-test (n = 106) and an online questionnaire including 721 participants (adults aged 18–30 versus 55+). The findings indicated that when using the COVID-19 symbol as the threatening message in an anti-smoking ad for the older participants, smoking cessation intentions were higher than when using a cigarette simulating a ‘gunpoint’ threat (p < 0.08). Additionally, when using the COVID-19 symbol, there was a positive relation between participants’ age and smoking cessation intentions. The average smoking cessation intention for the participants from the older age group (M = 3.05, SD = 1.07) was higher than the average for the participants from the young age group (M = 2.80, SD = 1.13). Finally, when using impotence (for men) and pregnancy risks (for women) as the threatening message in the ads for young respondents, smoking cessation intentions were higher than when using COVID-19 (p < 0.05). The results may help decision-makers and public health officials in choosing the marketing communication suited for conveying messages aimed to encourage people to reduce/quit smoking.

Effects of smoking cessation on sexual functions and health quality of life in premenopausal women: A prospective case - Controlled study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether smoking cessation has an effect on female sexual function and quality of life.

METHODOLOGY

After approval by the local ethics committee, smoking and non-smoking female participants were included in the study and all participants filled the female sexual function index (FSFI) and the short form 36 (SF-36). The same questionnaires were filled again at the ninth month control after smoking cessation. The scores of these questionnaires were compared between the groups. In addition, the FSFI and SF-36 scores of the participants in the smoking group were also compared with the scores in the ninth month after smoking cessation.

RESULTS

The rate of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) was significantly higher in the smoking group when compared with the control group (86.0% vs 32.5%; P < 0,001). The FSFI total and sub-domains score was significantly lower in the smoking group when compared control group [21.5 (min:14.4-max:28.69) and 28.9 (min:17.7-max:32.8); P < .001, respectively]. The rate of FSD was significantly decreased after nine months of smoking cessation (86% to 35.1%; P < .001). After smoking cessation, significant improvements on FSFI total and sub-domain scores and SF-36 sub-domain scores were determined.

CONCLUSION

In this study, it was shown that smoking negatively affected FSD and QOL when compared with healthy non-smoking women, and smoking cessation caused significant improvements in FSFI and SF-36 scores in these women after 9 months.