A recent multicenter trial conducted in Turkey showed promising results in improving quit rates among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma patients who smoke. The study revealed that immediately linking patients to a smoking cessation clinic led to a significant increase in the number of individuals who successfully quit smoking. This finding highlights the importance of integrating smoking cessation aid as a routine part of care for patients with chronic airway diseases.
The trial involved nearly 400 smokers recruited from respiratory clinics, with half of the participants randomized to receive an immediate appointment at an outpatient smoking cessation clinic, while the other half received usual care, which involved referral to a smoking quitline. The results showed that self-reported quit rates at 3 months were 27% in the immediate-appointment group, compared to 17% in the usual care group. This five-fold increase in quit rates underscores the effectiveness of evidence-based smoking cessation assistance in helping patients with COPD and asthma quit smoking.
At the 3-month mark, a higher percentage of patients in the immediate-appointment arm had visited a smoking cessation clinic and received evidence-based medication to aid in smoking cessation. The immediate-appointment group had significantly higher rates of access to pharmacotherapy approved for smoking cessation, such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and bupropion. The study emphasized the importance of providing patients with easy access to these treatment options to support their efforts in quitting smoking.
Barriers to Quitting
Despite the desire of 60-70% of smokers to quit smoking, only a small percentage of self-quitters are able to achieve prolonged abstinence. This highlights the need for tailored smoking cessation interventions for individuals with chronic lung diseases like COPD and asthma. The study aimed to assess the impact of standard brief tobacco cessation interventions on this specific patient population and the results were promising in improving quit rates.
One of the limitations of the study was the lack of biochemical verification of tobacco cessation, which could potentially impact the accuracy of self-reported quit rates. Additionally, the study did not assess the sustainability of quit rates beyond the 3-month follow-up period. Future research should focus on addressing these limitations to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the long-term effects of immediate smoking cessation interventions.
The findings of the multicenter trial in Turkey suggest that linking COPD and asthma patients who smoke to a smoking cessation clinic immediately can significantly improve quit rates. Integrating smoking cessation aid as part of routine care for patients with chronic airway diseases is crucial in supporting their efforts to quit smoking. Moving forward, healthcare providers should consider implementing similar interventions to help reduce smoking rates and improve the overall health outcomes of patients with COPD and asthma.
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