Smoking cessation interventions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the role of the family: a systematic literature review.
OBJECTIVE
This paper is a report of a systematic review to assess the effectiveness of family-focused smoking cessation interventions for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and to determine what data on families are documented in studies of smoking cessation interventions.


BACKGROUND
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a major public health problem and cigarette smoking is the most important factor contributing to its development and progression. However, smoking cessation rates are low and relapse is common. The role of families in smoking cessation efforts has received little attention.


METHODS
All studies were included in the review that (i) addressed an evaluation of a psycho-social/educational smoking cessation intervention for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, (ii) addressed some information on the family (i.e. living arrangements, marital status, smoking history of family members, support for quitting) and/or included the family as part of the intervention and (iii) were published between 1990 and 2006. Electronic data sources, existing systematic reviews of smoking cessation interventions and the grey literature were reviewed.


RESULTS
Seven studies were included. Six studies (11 papers) included data on marital status, smoking status of household members, support for quitting smoking and related variables. In two of the studies, the variable on the family was used to analyse smoking cessation outcomes. One additional study met the inclusion criterion of an evaluation of a smoking cessation intervention, which also included a family focus in the intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
No conclusions about the effectiveness of a family-focused smoking cessation intervention could be drawn from this review. Further research is needed to determine if a more family-focused intervention, in conjunction with pharmacological and counselling approaches, would lead to improved smoking cessation outcomes.
Luker
Karen A
KA
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. Karen.Luker@manchester.ac.uk
Chalmers
Karen I
KI
Caress
Ann-Louise
AL
Salmon
Margaret P
MP
D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D022143:Family Nursing; D006801:Humans; D011637:Public Health Nursing; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000451:nursing*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D006113:United Kingdom