Relationship between fagerström nicotine dependence test and coronary artery disease severity

Aim: Due to the fact that nicotine addiction and the use of tobacco products are risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD), the relationship between the degree of nicotine dependence (FNBT) and coronary artery disease (CAD) was aimed to be examined. Method: In our cross-sectional, prospective study, the relationship between the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score calculated from coronary computed tomographic angiography taken due to moderate-risk CAD patients applying to the Cardiology outpatient clinic of Dicle University Hospital and the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FNBT) was investigated. Findings: Of the 226 patients we included in the study, 72% were male (163) and 28% were female (63). Median age was calculated as 45 years. The average FNBT score of the participants was 5.5, which was compatible with moderate-tohigh nicotine dependence. The median CAC score of our patients was calculated as 95. The median FNBT score of patients with high CAC scores was found to be significantly higher (median 6 vs. 4, p<0.001). Cox regression analysis showed that increasing age, male gender, high FNBT score, and high neutrophil count were independent predictors of poor CAC score in our smoker population. Conclusion: A statistically significant relationship was found between an FNBT score greater than 6 and a high CAC score (>100). While the damage that smoking does to the body is obvious, our research results support that high nicotine addiction also increases the severity of coronary artery disease. With this awareness, we believe that efforts to encourage smoking cessation should be increased.