Characterizing Tobacco Usage in Otolaryngology Patients to Target Smoking Cessation Efforts

Smoking cessation is critical in reducing incidence of head and neck cancers (HNC) and improving postoperative outcomes. Accurate documentation of tobacco usage is necessary to understand prevalence in patients to target smoking cessation. This study aims to characterize tobacco usage documentation, including electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use, among otolaryngology patients.

Retrospective chart review.

Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center (PSHMC).

A retrospective chart review was conducted on adult otolaryngology patients seen from January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020. Patient demographics, details of alcohol and tobacco usage, including type of tobacco, and subspecialty seen were collected. Associations were evaluated using chi-square tests and a multivariable logistic regression model.

Patients (n = 2137) were an average of 58.4 years old ±18.0, 59.3% female, and 78.0% white. Of participants with documented tobacco history (n = 944), 56.7% were never users, 28.9% were former users, and 14.4% were current users. Among current users (n = 308), 86.4% used cigarettes, and 5.2% used ENDS. The remainder used chew (4.9%) and cigars (3.25%). Odds of tobacco use were 1.5x greater for males (95% CI 1.19-2.00), 1.6x greater for unmarried patients (95% CI 1.24-2.09), 2.1x greater for those with no insurance vs government (95% CI 1.43-3.18), and 2.4x greater for those diagnosed with HNC (95% CI 1.64-3.49).

Most patients report cigarette smoking when asked about tobacco use. Taking into consideration the rise of ENDS use, our sample showed ENDS use that was higher than the national average. There is significant opportunity for improved history taking, especially within general and head and neck oncology subspecialties for more comprehensive treatment.