Background: Few randomized controlled trials have examined the efficacy time of smoking cessation in hospitalized patients with acute coronary syndrome, either during hospitalization or after discharge. Aims: To assess smoking cessation rates at 24 weeks among patients with acute coronary syndrome. Group A had begun nicotine replacement therapy during hospitalization, and Group B after discharge. We also determined factors predicting success. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial in the . Participants were randomly assigned to the above 2 groups. The endpoint assessment was smoking abstinence at 24 weeks, defined as self-reported abstinence in the past week, confirmed by measured exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) ≤ 8 ppm. We analysed data by intention to treat. We used a binary logistic regression model to determine factors predicting abstinence. Results: All participants were male and mean (standard deviation) age was 55 (11) years. At 24 weeks there was no significant difference in smoking cessation rate between the 2 groups: 54.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 44.7-64.3%] in Group A and 45.5% (95% CI: 35.7-55.3%) in Group B (P = 0.81). High level of nicotine dependence [odds ratio (OR): 0.72; 95% CI: 0.54-0.96) and good compliance during follow-up (OR: 6.56; 95% CI: 2.07-20.78) were predictive factors for abstinence. Conclusions:Smoking cessation rate after acute coronary syndrome was high regardless of the start date. Good compliance during follow-up was the key predictive factor for success.

Background The diabetic foot (DF) has actually a high rate of disability leading to impaired quality of life and even mortality. Glycemic control among Tunisian adults with diabetes mellitus remains poor. However the relationship between glycemic control and foot complication have not been clearly established. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between diabetic foot lesions and glycemic control and the diabetic duration in the people with DT2. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in five Primary Health care Centers (PHC) in the region of Monastir (Tunisia) from March 2016 to April 2017. Data were collected using interviewer administered structured questionnaire. Validated questionnaire was used to assess diabetic foot diseases.nA multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between glycemic control, diabetic duration and the DF lesions. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results In total 383 patients were recruited, of whom 258 (67.9%) were men. The mean age of participants was 60.7±11.3. Poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥ 7.0%) increased the risk of abnormal patellar reflex (aOR=7.07; CI95% 1.65-30.1; p = 0.03) and calf claudication (aOR=7.07; CI95% 1.65-30.1). The long duration of diabetes (10 years and more) was a significant factor associated with an abnormal Achill reflex (aOR=2.31; CI95% 1.12-4.76; p = 0.02), a needle-stick perceptual disorder(aOR=2.08; CI95% 1.14-3.78; p = 0.01), a vibration sensibility perceptual disorder (aOR=2.02; CI95% 1.01-4.08; p = 0.04), a negative monofilament test (aOR=2.69; CI95% 1.04-5.16; p = 0.003), an absent dorsalis pedis artery pulsation(aOR=2.35; CI95% 1.09-5.05;p=0.02) and an absent posterior tibial artery pulsation (aOR=3.06; CI95% 1.28-7.28; p = 0.01). Conclusions This study identified that disease duration and poor glycemic control are significant risk factors related to DF development in the current T2DM population. Key messages Disease duration and poor glycemic control are significant risk factors related to DF development in the T2DM population in the region of Monastir. Prevention programs should be focused on patient education about modifiable risk factors in particular glycemic control and adequate and regular foot care.

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Background In Tunisia, coronary heart disease(CHD) is the first cause of mortality, accounting one third (33.23%) of total deaths in 2017. Although smoking cessation is the most effective CHD prevention strategy, quitting smoking is difficult and two thirds of patients return to smoking within 1 year of their acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The present study aimed to evaluate the smoking cessation rate and to assess predictors of smoking abstinence in patients with ACS, one year after hospital discharge. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted in the Cardiology Department and Smoking Cessation Service at University Hospital of Monastir, Tunisia from January 2015 to December 2017. During their hospitalization, all patients in the sample received individual therapeutic education including a motivational interview. The follow-up were carried out by clinic visits every two weeks. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the independent predictors of smoking abstinence. The statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS software, version 21.0. A p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 288 smoking patients were included in our study. All participants were male and the mean age was 55 ± 11 years. More than half (55.4%) of patients had a high level of nicotine dependence. Successful smoking cessation rate was 35.7 % [95% confidence interval (CI): 29.4-42.5%]. Independent predictors of smoking abstinence were: therapeutic adherence (odds ratio(OR): 13.8, p < 0.001), the level of nicotinic dependence (OR: 0.26, p = 0.02), the length of stay in the ICU (OR: 8.31, p = 0.001) and diabetic status (OR: 4.54, p = 0.01). Conclusions This study for smoking cessation highlights the importance to generalize our protocol for all Tunisian patient with cardiovascular risk. Key messages Smoking cessation is the most effective coronary heart disease prevention strategy. More efforts are required to improve smoking cessation in patients with cardiovascular risk.

Background: We aimed to describe the episodes and trends of admissions for communityacquired Respiratory Infections (RI) over a 12-year period and to assess the impact of Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) vaccine on RI admissions in children aged up to 3 years. Methods: We conducted a twelve-year retrospective observational study on all communityacquired RI admitted to Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital in Monastir Governorate (Tunisia) from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2013. RI cases were selected from the Regional Registry of Hospital Morbidity. Data were coded according to ICD-10. To assess the impact of the Hib vaccine, three cohorts were defined based on vaccine status (unvaccinated cohort, first vaccinated cohort (VC) by monovalent form and second VC by pentavalent combination). Results: Admissions for RI represented 17.6% (CI95%: 17.3-18.1) of all communicable diseases hospitalizations (n = 6 061/34 289). The crude incidence rates (CIR) per 100,000 inh were 24.2 for upper RI (URI) and 77.5 and for Lower RI (LRI) (p < 0.0001). Pneumonias represented 53.9% of LRI. Sex-ratio (male/female) was 1.12 for URI and 1.64 for LRI (p < 0.0001). At admission, the median age was 22 years (IQR: 3-52). Admission for Pneumonia increased significantly during study period (slope 'b' = 5.16; p < 0.0001) especially in children up to 5 years old (slope 'b' = 5.53) and in elderly (slope 'b' = 2.13). Among children up to 3 years old, the CIRs per 100,000 for Hib pneumonia admission were 11.6 in Non-Vaccinated Cohort (NVC), 10.6 in Vaccinated Cohort (VC) by protocol 1 (Hib Vaccine monovalent) and 0.80 in VC by protocol 2 (pentavalent vaccine combination).The relative risk reduction was 99% for protocol 2 (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Admissions for RI in a tertiary level hospital were common with an increasing trend. The Hib immunization program, in particular the pentavalent combination, has had a positive impact on the reduction of related acute diseases.