title: Smoking determines the 10-year (2004-2014) prognosis in patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: the GREECS observational study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Smoking has long been positively associated with the development and progression of coronary heart disease. However, longitudinal cohort studies evaluating smoking habits among cardiac patients as well as the role of socio-demographic factors determining such behaviours are scarce and have been focused on primary care practice. Thus the aim of the present work was to examine the association of active smoking and behaviours and exposure to second-hand smoke, with the 10-year Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) prognosis, among cardiovascular patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  From October 2003 to September 2004, a sample of six Greek hospitals was selected and almost allconsecutive 2172 ACS patients were enrolled. In 2013-14, the 10-year follow-up was performed in 1918 participants (11 % loss to follow-up). Smoking habits at the time of entry to the study, as well as during the follow-up period were studied using a standard questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients who had >60 pack-years of smoking had 57.8 % higher ACS mortality and 24.6 % higher risk for any ACS event. Nested model, adjusted only for age and sex, revealed that for every 30 pack-years of smoking increase, the associated ACS risk increased by 13 % (95 % CI 1.03, 1.30, p = 0.001). When further adjusted analysis, including several potential confounders, was applied the tested relationship was still significant (95 %CI 1.03, 1.30, p = 0.09). Accordingly, the risk for fatal ACS events increased by 8 % for every 30 pack-years of smoking increase (95 % CI 1.03, 1.63, p = 0.06). Moreover, 52 % of the patients reported being exposed to secondhand smoke and when further adjustments were made, it was revealed that they had 33 % (95 % CI 1.12, 1.60, p = 0.01) higher risk of having recurrent ACS events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Active smoking and second-hand smoke among cardiac patients still represent a substantial clinical burden. Thus, smoking cessation policies should be incorporated into the long-term therapeutic management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, 46 Paleon Polemiston St. 166 74, Glyfada, Athens Greece.
authors.forename: Venetia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Notara
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, 46 Paleon Polemiston St. 166 74, Glyfada, Athens Greece.
authors.forename: Demosthenes B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Panagiotakos
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, 46 Paleon Polemiston St. 166 74, Glyfada, Athens Greece.
authors.forename: Semina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kouroupi
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Clinic, General Hospital of Chalkida, Chalkida, Greece.
authors.forename: Ifigenia
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stergiouli
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Clinic, General Hospital of Karditsa, Karditsa, Greece.
authors.forename: Yannis
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kogias
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Clinic, General Hospital of Zakynthos Island, Zakynthos, Greece.
authors.forename: Petros
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stravopodis
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Clinic, General Hospital of Lamia, Lamia, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Papanagnou
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Clinic, General Hospital of Kalamata, Kalamata, Greece.
authors.forename: Spyros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zombolos
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Clinic, General Hospital of Chalkida, Chalkida, Greece.
authors.forename: Yannis
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mantas
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Clinic, General Hospital of Lamia, Lamia, Greece.
authors.forename: Antonis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Antonoulas
authors.affiliation: First Cardiology Clinic, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pitsavos
keywords: Acute Coronary Syndrome; Cardiovascular risk factors; Disease clinical burden; Lifestyle habits; Smoking