Özet:

Objective: To investigate the nicotine dependence of patients with peripheral arterial disease who have been operated upon and who continue to smoke postoperatively using the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and to investigate the difference of this group when compared to smokers without peripheral arterial disease. Material and Methods: Nicotine dependence of patients undergoing peripheral artery surgery between January 2007 and December 2010 who continued to smoke postoperatively (Study Group: Group 1) was detected using FTND. The values obtained were compared to smokers who do not have peripheral arterial disease (Control Group: Group 2). Results: 112 individuals were involved in this study. Group 1 included 62 patients with an average age of 59.8±9.0. 91.9% of the patients were male. Group 2 included 50 patients with an average age of 56.0±12.5. 92% of the patients were male. There was no difference between the groups regarding their age and sex (p> 0.05). The average nicotine dependence score for the groups were 6.11±1.6 and 3.72±1.6 and the dif- ference among them was found to be significant (p< 0.001). 59.7% of those in Group 1 revealed high and very high addiction rates whilst only 12% of Group 2 revealed high and very high addiction rates.Conclusion: Nicotine dependence of patients undergoing surgery for peripheral areterial disease is significantly higher than smokers without peripheral arterial disease. Considering the proven evidence of cigarette smoking"s contribution to graft failure, a more agressive and serious approach is required to ensure patients operated upon for peripheral arterial disease quit smoking.

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