Smoking status and associated clinical characteristics in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Smoking is one of the main environmental factors proven to worsen the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and reduce the effectiveness of its treatment. The relationship between smoking and rheumatoid arthritis characteristics and comorbidities has not been widely studied, and the views of Russian rheumatologists on this topic are unclear.

AIM: The study aimed to evaluate the smoking status of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and its association with disease presentation and comorbidities, as well as to explore views of Russian rheumatologists on smoking among these patients.

METHODS: This cross-sectional registry-based study employed a comparative analysis of the records of smokers and nonsmokers with rheumatoid arthritis from a rheumatology hospital registry. A survey of smokers with rheumatoid arthritis and an anonymous survey of rheumatologists were conducted.

RESULTS: Compared with non-smokers, smokers were more likely to have seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (p = 0.001) and higher disease activity (p = 0.0002). Positive associations were found between smoking and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p < 0.001), tuberculosis (p = 0.008), and peptic ulcer (p < 0.001). Patients with high rates of cardiovascular disease were more likely to quit smoking. Smoking was characterized by long-term, highly intensive patterns. Every fifth respondent (20%) reported being highly motivated to quit smoking, whereas 71% had made unsuccessful attempts. Although most rheumatologists are aware of the negative effects of smoking on rheumatoid arthritis, they are not trained to counsel patients who smoke.

CONCLUSION: The study supports the importance of developing and implementing smoking cessation programs for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

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About the authors

Yuliya V. Khokhlova

North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov; Clinical Rheumatology Hospital No. 25 named after V.A. Nasonova

Author for correspondence.
Email: julia-khokhlova@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-3902-4873

MD

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg; Saint Petersburg

Elena N. Gladkova

North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov; Clinical Rheumatology Hospital No. 25 named after V.A. Nasonova

Email: gen4605@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-6689-6941
SPIN-code: 6535-4153

MD, Cand. Sci. (Medicine), Assistant Professor

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg; Saint Petersburg

Oksana V. Inamova

North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov; Clinical Rheumatology Hospital No. 25 named after V.A. Nasonova

Email: sekr@krb25.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9126-3639
SPIN-code: 8841-5496

MD, Cand. Sci (Medicine), Assistant Professor

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg; Saint Petersburg

Olga M. Lesnyak

North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov; Clinical Rheumatology Hospital No. 25 named after V.A. Nasonova

Email: olga.m.lesnyak@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-0143-0614
SPIN-code: 6432-4188

MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Professor

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg; Saint Petersburg

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2. Fig. 1. Distribution of current and former smokers among rheumatoid arthritis patients by age group.

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