Genetic Association of CHRNB3 and CHRNA6 Gene Polymorphisms with Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale in Korean Population

OBJECTIVE: Cholinergic nicotinic receptor (CHRN) gene family has been known to mediate the highly additive effects of nicotine in the body, and implicated nicotine dependence (ND) and related phenotypes. Previous studies have found that CHRNA6-CHRNB3 cluster polymorphisms were significantly associated with the risk of ND and various tobacco behaviors. The aim of study was to evaluate the genetic association of CHRNB3 and CHRNA6 polymorphisms with the risk of ND based on the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) score and five subscales of nicotine dependence syndrome scale (NDSS) in Korean population. METHODS: Six SNPs in CHRNA6-CHRNB3 cluster were analyzed in 576 Korean subjects. Association analysis using logistic models and regression analysis with NDSS were performed. RESULTS: There was no association in the case-control analysis, whereas all six SNPs were significantly associated with drive factor among NDSS in subgroup based on the FTND score. CHRNB3 rs4954 and CHRNA6 rs16891604 showed significant associations with NDSSF1 (drive) in dominant models among moderate to severe ND among smokers after correction (p(corr)=0.02 and 0.001, respectively), whereas other four SNPs showed significant associations among mild ND after correction (p(corr)=0.03-0.02 in dominant model). CONCLUSION: This study showed that the genetic influence of CHRNB3-CHRNA6 cluster polymorphisms are found in a ND endophenotype (drive) using NDSS subscales, rather than the risk of ND in Korean population. Our findings might be the first report for the association of CHRNB3-CHRNA6 cluster with ND-related phenotypes in Korean and might offer an approach to elucidating the molecular mechanisms of ND and ND-related phenotypes.

Standardization of Korean Version of Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale and Its Predictive Implication on Nicotine Cessation / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale has been reported as valid and useful measure for assessment of the level and the pattern of nicotine dependence. The aim of this study is to prove the validity and reliability of the Korean version of Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale and find out its predictive effect on smoking cessation. METHODS: 274 smokers who visited the public health center smoking cessation clinic were enrolled in this study. Fagerstrom test and K-NDSS were administered and the subjects started smoking cessation after basic assessment was done with the aid of bupropion and nicotine patch. Six month later smoking cessation success or failure was assessed through self report. RESULTS: K-NDSS factor structure was very similar to the original version of NDSS and has proved to be valid and reliable. Cronbach's alpha for K-NDSS-Total was .90, and Cronbach's alpha for each sub-factors are ranged from .66 to .85. Sub-factor, continuity and stereotypy can predict the possibility of smoking cessation success or failure. CONCLUSION: K-NDSS was proved to be a valid and a reliable measure of nicotine dependence, and its sub-factor continuity and stereotypy has predictive characteristic on smoking cessation.