Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science

Original articles

Public Health, Environmental, and Occupational Health
Effects of electronic smoking on daytime plasma cortisol levels and the possible ameliorating role of physical activity: a cross-sectional study: Mahmoud A. Alomari, Omar F. Khabour; J Yeungnam Med Sci. 2025;42:58. Published online September 22, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/jyms.2025.42.58

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
Cortisol is a hormone that regulates metabolism, circadian rhythm, homeostasis, immunity, and normal growth. Physical activity has numerous health benefits, and smoking is associated with several chronic conditions. This study aimed to investigate the combined effects of physical activity and smoking on circulating cortisol levels.
Methods
Diurnal plasma cortisol levels were measured among individuals (age, 35±14 years; n=974) who smoked electronic (e)-cigarettes (n=239), cigarettes (n=230), waterpipes (n=268), and those who did not smoke (n=237) according to physical activity level.
Results
Two-way analysis of covariance showed an effect on cortisol levels of moderate physical activity (p<0.02) and smoking status (p<0.001) without an interaction effect (p>0.3). Group comparisons showed increased (p<0.001) cortisol among e-cigarette users (247.1±7.4 ng/mL) compared to cigarette users (177.8±7.2 ng/mL), waterpipe users (179.8±6.2 ng/mL), and nonsmokers (181.2±7.2 ng/mL) with no statistical differences between other groups (p>0.05). In addition, among the nonsmokers and cigarette smokers, cortisol levels were reduced in individuals with higher participation in moderate physical activity compared to levels in individuals with lower participation (p<0.005).
Conclusion
These results indicate that e-cigarette use is associated with plasma cortisol levels. Physical activity appears to temper cortisol levels in both cigarette smokers and nonsmokers. However, physical activity may not be sufficient to temper plasma cortisol levels associated with e-cigarette use.

Social and Family Medicine
Effects of psychological conditions and changes on smoking cessation success after a residential smoking cessation therapy program: a retrospective observational study: Gyu Lee Kim, Yu Hyeon Yi, Jeong Gyu Lee, Young Jin Tak, Seung Hun Lee, Young Jin Ra, Sang Yeoup Lee, Young Hye Cho, Eun Ju Park, Youngin Lee, Jung In Choi; J Yeungnam Med Sci. 2025;42:20. Published online January 2, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/jyms.2025.42.20

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1 Crossref

Background
Residential smoking cessation therapy programs offer intensive treatment for heavy smokers who struggle to quit independently, particularly those with high nicotine dependence and health conditions that necessitate urgent cessation. While previous studies have established the effectiveness of such programs and identified various factors influencing smoking cessation success, it remains unclear how changes in smokers’ thoughts and attitudes following residential therapy correlate with their ability to quit smoking. We investigated the relationship between smoking cessation-related characteristics, smoking-related psychological status, and participants’ smoking cessation success after a residential smoking cessation therapy program.
Methods
From January 2017 to December 2018, 291 participants completed the program. All participants completed questionnaires on smoking cessation-related characteristics and smoking-related psychological status before the program and on the 5th day. Six months later, smoking cessation success was assessed using a urine cotinine test.
Results
After 6 months, 222 participants successfully quit smoking, while 69 failed. The success and failure groups exhibited statistically significant differences in age, marital status, total smoking duration, stress, and emotion regulation strategies. Participants who used ineffective emotion regulation strategies more frequently had a lower rate of smoking cessation success (odds ratio [OR], 0.969; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.948–0.991). Moreover, an increase in the perception of the negative effects of smoking cessation (OR, 0.982; 95% CI, 0.967–0.997) and smoking temptation (OR, 0.960; 95% CI, 0.929–0.993) was associated with higher cessation success.
Conclusion
Emotion regulation strategies, perceptions of the effects of smoking cessation, and smoking temptation were associated with successful smoking cessation.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Psychological mechanisms of behavioral change: Trajectories of self-efficacy and motivation among Tunisian health science students using a mobile application to quit smoking - A prospective observational study
Selma Gallas, Houyem Said Latiri, Revathy Sudhakar
PLOS Global Public Health.2026; 6(3): e0006081. CrossRef

Original Articles

Gastroenterology and Hepatology
High levels of carcinoembryonic antigen and smoking might be markers of colorectal adenoma in Korean males aged 40-49 years.: In Cheol Yoon, Jeong Hyeon Cho, Heejin Choi, Young Hoon Choi, Kyu Min Lim, Sung Hwa Choi, Jae Ho Han, Hyeon Ju Jeong, Hong Sub Lee; Yeungnam Univ J Med. 2016;33(1):13-20. Published online June 30, 2016; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/yujm.2016.33.1.13

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Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
Prevalence of adenoma in males aged 40-49 years in Korea was higher than expected. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of colorectal adenoma in males aged 40-49 years. METHODS: Total 1,902 asymptomatic subjects with a mean age of 47.9±6.7 years, who underwent a screening colonoscopy in a health promotion center of Myongji Hospital from 2010 to 2013 were enrolled in this study. We conducted a case-control study to determine the risk factors for adenoma. The subjects were classified into two groups (adenoma vs. controls). To validate the diagnostic value of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) for adenoma, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was calculated. RESULTS: At least one colorectal adenoma was identified in 385 subjects (20.2%). Among these 385 subjects, 372 subjects were found to have a non-advanced adenoma, 13 subjects had an invasive adenoma. One subject had cancer. Male sex, age, smoking, metabolic syndrome, and elevated CEA level were significantly associated with a colorectal adenoma in univariate analysis. However, metabolic syndrome was not significant in multivariate analysis. In the male group, the AUROC of CEA for colorectal adenoma was 0.600 (0.543 to 0.656) in non-smokers under 50 years of age, and 0.615 (0.540 to 0.690) in smokers under 50 years of age. CONCLUSION: Male sex, smoking, and high levels of CEA seem to be associated with colorectal adenoma. High levels of CEA and smoking may be diagnostic markers for any colorectal adenoma in Korean males aged 40-49 years.

Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Predictors of Weight Reduction and Smoking Cessation in Overweight and Obese Patients with Acute Myocardial infarctions.: Jung Kyu Kang, Jang Hoon Lee, Su Young Ha, Myung Hwan Bae, Dong Heon Yang, Hun Sik Park, Yongkeun Cho, Shung Chull Chae, Jae Eun Jun; Yeungnam Univ J Med. 2011;28(1):20-30. Published online June 30, 2011; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/yujm.2011.28.1.20

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Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
Little is known about predictors of lifestyle modification in overweight or obese patients with acute myocardial infarctions. METHODS: Between October 2005 and May 2007, 311 overweight or obese patients with an AMI visited Kyungpook National University Hospital. Among them, 216 patients (63+/-11 years old, 144 males) with > or =1 year of follow-up were included. RESULTS: Body weight of all patients showed a significant decrease and 20% showed a >3% weight reduction at 1 year of follow-up. Ninety-six (44%) patients were smoking at baseline, and 52% of them had quit by 1 year of follow-up. Only six smokers were successful with both a >3% weight reduction and smoking cessation. In multivariate analysis, age (OR 1.084, 95% CI 1.028-1.144, p=0.003) and smoking cessation (OR 0.167, 95% CI 0.048-0.575, p=0.005) were independent predictors of weight reduction. Abdominal circumference was a negative predictor of smoking cessation (OR 0.903, 95% CI 0.820-0.994, p=0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Mean body weight of all patients showed a significant decrease at follow-up. Smoking cessation and age were independent predictors of weight reduction, and abdominal circumference was a negative predictor of smoking cessation.

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