Degree of atherosclerosis predicts short-term commitment for smoking cessation therapy.
BACKGROUND
Only little is known about factors that influence the smokers' propensity to start smoking cessation therapy and stay within such programs.


METHODS
One hundred fifteen subjects that were current smokers and presented at the angiologic outpatient unit were enrolled in a prospective cohort study. All patients were invited to take part in a smoking cessation program. Patients' history, noninvasive vascular, cardiac, and pulmonary parameters, state of atherosclerotic disease (SMART-score), smoking history, and Fagerström index were obtained and the carbon monoxide breathing test was performed.


RESULTS
Lower age and heavy smoking were associated with less propensity to start smoking cessation therapy. The degree of atherosclerosis significantly predicted short-term commitment to smoking cessation therapy (relative risk for discontinuation: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.70-0.96). Single factors predictive for staying within the therapy were peripheral arterial occlusive disease and hyperlipidemia, while neither prior myocardial infarction nor pulmonary function was associated with compliance. Fifty-four percent of patients that completed 3 months of therapy quit smoking.


CONCLUSIONS
Counseling in smokers with preexistent or newly diagnosed atherosclerotic diseases or risk factors should include their specific vascular condition and information on positive consequences on the progress of these conditions. Counseling for initiation of smoking cessation therapy should apply different strategies as used in the maintenance phase of therapy.
Hirschl
Mirko
M
Department of Angiology, Hanusch-Hospital, Vienna, Austria. mirko.hirschl@wgk.sozvers.at
Francesconi
Claudia
C
Chudik
Maria
M
Katzenschlager
Reinhold
R
Kundi
Michael
M
D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000145:classification*; D001944:Breath Tests; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*