Factors associated with nicotine replacement therapy use among hospitalised smokers

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is recommended as a smoking cessation aid for hospitalised smokers. We examined factors associated with NRT use during hospitalisation and after discharge, and NRT uptake when systematically offered free of cost.

A nested analysis was conducted using data from a clinical trial that evaluated the effectiveness of a pharmacist-led smoking cessation intervention in 600 hospitalised smokers.

NRT was used at least once by 285 (48%) participants during hospitalisation and by 287 (48%) participants during the 12 months post-discharge. Heavy smokers and those who expressed interest in using NRT for their next quit attempt at baseline interview were more likely to use NRT during hospitalisation [odds ratio (OR) 1.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.38, 2.74; OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.48, 2.95] and after discharge (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.20, 2.41; OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.39, 2.79). Those using six or more medications were more likely to use NRT during hospitalisation (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.05, 2.61). Post-discharge NRT users were more likely to have been initially admitted for a respiratory or cardiac problem (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.05, 2.18). When NRT was offered free of cost to a subset of patients (n = 300), 157 (52%) used NRT during hospitalisation. Nicotine dependence and interest in using NRT predicted its use (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.38, 3.70; OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.58, 4.20).

Targeting heavy smokers, those with cardio-respiratory conditions and those interested in using NRT regardless of regimen complexity could improve NRT uptake.