DEPENDENCE LEVEL ON NICOTINE AND PERIPHERAL MUSCLE STRENGTH IN SMOKERS

Abstract

Introduction: Nicotine is the main responsible for dependence. Studies indicate it has effects on the nervous and cardiovascular systems. It is believed that may interfere with peripheral muscle strength. Objective: To determine whether there is a correlation between the levels of addiction to nicotine and peripheral muscle strength. Methodology: Cross-sectional with admitted smokers in the program "Leaving Smoking without Mysteries." After signing the consent form, applied the demographic questionnaire, tolerance and Fagerstrom, IPAQ - short version. Handgrip was performed to measure the PMS. Spearman correlation test for relation and the Student t test for comparisons was used. Results: Sample of 37 participants with an average age of 53.05 ± 10.8 years, 26 are women. The level of addiction to nicotine, 18 (48.6%) subjects have high dependency, 17 (45.9%) low dependence, and two (5.4%) average dependency. The median FTND score was five (3 to 6.5) and the smoking history was 23.4 (22.2 to 50.0). Peripheral muscle strength obtained predicted average mean of 33.68 ± 8.64 kgf, while the median obtained was 28.3 (22.9 to 38.0) kgf. There was no difference between peripheral muscle strength predicted and found. Conclusion: There is a slight and inverse correlation between the score of Fargestrom and PMS assessed. However it was not found correlation was found between smoking history and peripheral muscle strength (PMS) and difference between the predicted and found PMS.