Predictors of success in smoking cessation among hospitalized patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the predictors of continued smoking abstinence in patients receiving smoking cessation intervention during and following hospital admission.


METHODS
A prospective cohort study was conducted in a university-affiliated hospital. A total of 248 smokers admitted with primary cardiac and respiratory conditions received verbal advice (lasting about 1 h) and standard booklets on smoking cessation from a dedicated nurse counsellor. After discharge, participants received follow-up telephone counselling calls every 2 weeks from the same smoking counsellor. The main outcome measure was continued abstinence at 2 months after hospital discharge, as determined by self-reporting and carbon monoxide breath testing. The following groups of covariates were analysed to determine the possible factors associated with smoking abstinence: demographics, smoking history, readiness to quit, and medical history.


RESULTS
At 2 months post-discharge, 108 (43.5%) patients remained abstinent. Low nicotine dependence score (odds ratio, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.25-4.26; P = 0.008), decision to quit by sudden cessation as compared to reduction of smoking (odds ratio, 7.19; 95% CI, 1.56-33.06; P = 0.011), and initial hospitalization for their medical condition (odds ratio, 6.37; 95% CI, 1.33-30.44; P = 0.020) were the main independent predictors for positive outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Among this cohort of hospitalized patients receiving smoking cessation intervention, low dependence on tobacco, motivation to quit by sudden cessation, and initial hospitalization were the main independent predictors of smoking abstinence after discharge from hospital.
Ong
K C
KC
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Tan Tock Seng, Singapore. kian_chung_ong@ttsh.com.sg
Cheong
G N
GN
Prabhakaran
L
L
Earnest
A
A
D017668:Age of Onset; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001944:Breath Tests; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000032:analysis; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000150:complications; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002248:Carbon Monoxide