The relationship between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma patients who smoke and their likelihood of quitting is a complex issue. A recent multicenter trial from Turkey has shed some light on this topic by evaluating the impact of immediately linking these patients to a smoking cessation clinic. The results of the trial demonstrated a significant improvement in quit rates among patients who were given an immediate appointment at an outpatient smoking cessation clinic compared to those who received usual care.
The study, conducted by Dilek Karadogan, MD, at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, revealed that self-reported quit rates at 3 months were much higher in the group that received immediate appointment (27%) compared to the usual care group (17%). This significant difference emphasizes the importance of incorporating smoking cessation aid as part of routine care for patients with chronic airway diseases like COPD and asthma. Moreover, the immediate-appointment group had a five-fold increase in quit rates, indicating the effectiveness of evidence-based smoking cessation assistance.
Karadogan’s study highlighted the fact that a significant number of patients with chronic lung diseases continue to smoke even after their diagnosis. In the United States alone, 38% of COPD patients and 21% of asthma patients are current smokers. This underscores the urgent need for tailored smoking cessation interventions for this vulnerable population. While the “5A” method (ask, advise, assess, assist, arrange) is commonly used to help smokers quit, its effectiveness in patients with COPD or asthma has not been well-studied until now.
The discussant of the study, Armin Frille, MD, pointed out that while the results of the trial were promising, the lack of biochemical verification of tobacco cessation was a limitation. Additionally, the long-term sustainability of the quit rates achieved at 3 months needs to be further investigated. However, Karadogan reported that the differences in quit rates between the study arm and the control arm remained significant at 1 year, suggesting that the intervention had lasting effects.
The multicenter trial, which took place between November 2022 and June 2023, involved 397 adults with COPD, asthma, or bronchiectasis who were current smokers. The participants were randomized into two groups, with one receiving an immediate appointment at a smoking cessation clinic and the other receiving standard care. The intervention group had higher rates of visiting a smoking cessation clinic and receiving evidence-based medication to aid in quitting. These results underscore the importance of proactive smoking cessation interventions in improving quit rates among patients with chronic lung diseases.
The study from Turkey provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of linking COPD and asthma patients who smoke to smoking cessation clinics. By offering immediate assistance and evidence-based treatment options, healthcare providers can significantly enhance quit rates among these vulnerable populations. Moving forward, it is essential to integrate smoking cessation aid into routine care for patients with chronic airway diseases to improve long-term health outcomes and reduce the burden of tobacco-related illnesses.
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