Early detection of COPD combined with individualized counselling for smoking cessation: a two-year prospective study

Though the prevalence of COPD is related to the definition, even with this proviso COPD remains under-diagnosed. Screening can detect many new COPD cases, but its effects on smoking cessation remain unknown.

To evaluate symptoms in "healthy" cigarette smokers, to screen new COPD cases using international and national guidelines, and to assess the success of a smoking cessation.

Healthy asymptomatic smokers with a >20 pack-years smoking history were recruited. The first visit included a standardized personal interview, Fagerstom nicotine dependence test (FNDT) and individualized smoking counselling by Motivational Interviewing. At the follow-up visit two years later, the same analyses were repeated and smoking status assessed. To avoid bias in the counselling attributable to spirometry, the test was evaluated at the two-year follow-up assessment.

Almost all, 93.2%, of 584 participants attended the second visit. Spirometry revealed COPD by GOLD criteria in 11.0% and by national guidelines in 15.3%, mid-expiratory flow (MEF50) had significantly declined in 19.5%, chronic cough or sputum production was detected in 62% of the subjects. After two years, 23.3% had succeeded in giving up smoking. There were four predictors of successful quitting, i.e. positive attitude to the intervention, pharmacotherapy, older age, and higher BMI, whereas other factors such as cough, obstruction, gender, pack-years, or nicotine dependence showed no association with ability to achieve successful cessation.

Significant numbers of "healthy" smokers experience symptoms, according to detailed questionnaires, and have COPD. Motivation is the most significant factor in determining the chance of stopping smoking.