Smoking is a serious issue for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, and linking them to smoking cessation clinics can significantly improve quit rates. This was shown in a multicenter trial conducted in Turkey, where nearly 400 smokers were recruited from respiratory clinics. The study revealed that self-reported quit rates at 3 months were significantly higher among patients who were immediately linked to a smoking cessation clinic compared to those who received usual care.
The study, led by Dr. Dilek Karadogan from Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University in Rize, Turkey, highlighted a 5% increase in quit rates with evidence-based smoking cessation assistance. Patients who were randomized to an immediate appointment at an outpatient smoking cessation clinic had a 27% quit rate at 3 months, while those who received usual care, which involved referral to a smoking quitline, had a quit rate of 17%. This difference was statistically significant, emphasizing the importance of smoking cessation aid in routine care for patients with chronic airway diseases.
At the 3-month mark, significantly more patients in the immediate-appointment group had visited a smoking cessation clinic and received evidence-based medication to help them quit smoking. The study showed that 75% of patients in the immediate-appointment arm visited the clinic, compared to only 27% in the usual-care arm. Additionally, 69% of patients in the immediate-appointment group received medication to aid smoking cessation, while only 22% of patients in the usual-care group received the same treatment. This highlights the importance of immediate access to smoking cessation resources for patients with COPD and asthma.
Dr. Karadogan emphasized the need for smoking cessation aid in patients with chronic lung diseases, as a significant proportion of these patients continue to smoke tobacco even after being diagnosed. Studies have shown that a large percentage of COPD and asthma patients are current smokers, indicating a gap in providing effective tobacco cessation interventions for these individuals. The study aimed to address this gap by assessing the impact of immediate linkage to smoking cessation clinics on quitting rates among patients with COPD, asthma, or bronchiectasis.
While the results of the study are promising, it is important to note the limitations, such as the lack of biochemical verification of tobacco cessation. Additionally, the study only assessed quit rates at 3 months, and further research is needed to determine if the effects are sustained in the long term. Future studies could explore the impact of different smoking cessation interventions, such as behavioral counseling or group therapy, on quit rates among patients with chronic lung diseases.
The immediate linking of COPD and asthma patients who smoke to smoking cessation clinics has shown promising results in improving quit rates. By providing patients with access to evidence-based treatment and support, healthcare providers can play a crucial role in helping patients quit smoking and improve their respiratory health. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of immediate linkage to smoking cessation clinics and to identify the most effective interventions for this patient population.