Smoking cessation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an effective medical intervention.
BACKGROUND
As many as 50% of older smokers develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and more than 80% of COPD-associated morbidity is caused by tobacco smoking. Despite the severe symptoms from which COPD patients suffer, they are often unable to quit smoking on their own.


METHODS
Experts from 9 medical societies, under the aegis of the German Society of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Pneumologie und Beatmungsmedizin), have developed an S3 guideline on smoking cessation in COPD. They took previously published guidelines into account, as well as more than 2000 initially surveyed publications, and created the new guideline in two consensus conferences followed by a Delphi process.


RESULTS
The following strongly evidence-based statements can be made: A smoking cessation strategy based on a combination of medication and psychosocial support has been found to be effective in COPD patients. Smoking cessation improves pulmonary function, alleviates dyspnea and cough, reduces the frequency of COPD exacerbations, and lowers mortality. Mere smoking reduction does not improve pulmonary function or alleviate symptoms. Smoking cessation is the most effective and least expensive single means of lowering the risk of developing COPD and of arresting its progression. Smoking cessation should therefore be strongly promoted at all levels of health care delivery.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no question that smoking cessation ranks among the most effective medical interventions, yet the German health care system still does not assign it an adequate priority.
Andreas
Stefan
S
Lungenfachklinik Immenhausen/Kreis Kassel Pneumologische Lehrklinik der Universität Göttingen Robert Koch Str. 3 34376 Immenhausen, Germany. sandreas@lungenfachklinik-immenhausen.de
Hering
Thomas
T
Mühlig
Stephan
S
Nowak
Dennis
D
Raupach
Tobias
T
Worth
Heinrich
H
D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009538:Nicotine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011584:Psychology; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009538:Nicotine