Smoking behaviour of patients before and after renal transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Smoking is the most important remediable cardiovascular risk factor, and an independent risk factor for the progression of renal diseases. To date, only limited information about changes in cigarette-smoking habits before and after renal transplantation is available.


METHODS
In a comprehensive cross-sectional single centre study, we analysed smoking habits of patients registered on the waiting list for renal transplantation and patients that had received an allograft.


RESULTS
Of 230 patients (76.1%), 175 on the waiting list and of 264 allograft recipients (87.5%), 231 were non-smokers at the time of investigation (P <0.01). Among the non-smoking waiting list patients, only 71 (30.9%) had never smoked, whereas 108 (40.9%) patients of the allograft recipients were never-smokers. Of former smoking patients, 27.6% (n = 34) had stopped smoking after transplantation. Patients <55 years of age and females were more likely to stop smoking than patients >55 years of age or males. A data analysis revealed that smokers had a significantly lower probability to attain renal transplantation.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that renal transplantation is a strong incentive for patients to stop smoking. Reasons for changes in smoking behaviour after renal transplantation may be an intense contact of the patients with their physicians, the fear of a premature loss of the transplanted organ with continued smoking and the psychological support during post-transplantation patient care.
Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, University of Regensburg, D-93042 Regensburg, Germany. miriam.banas@klinik.uni-regensburg.de
Miriam C
MC
Banas
Bernhard
B
Banas
Johanna
J
Wolf
Ute
U
Hoffmann
Bernd
B
Krüger
Carsten A
CA
Böger
Stephan R
SR
Orth
Bernhard K
BK
Krämer
D001519:Behavior; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000601:surgery*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity / Q000639:trends; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous