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Smoking cessation after surgery. A randomized trial
J A Simon1, S N Solkowitz, T P Carmody
1General Internal Medicine Section, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, Calif, USA.
Archives of Internal Medicine
|June 23, 1997
Summary
Hospitalized smokers who received a multicomponent intervention were twice as likely to quit smoking long-term. This study highlights surgical admissions as a key opportunity for effective tobacco cessation programs.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Clinical Interventions
- Smoking Cessation
Background:
- Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of preventable death in the U.S.
- Hospital stays offer a unique opportunity for smoking cessation interventions.
- Most smokers desire to quit, and hospitals are increasingly smoke-free.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention for smoking cessation in hospitalized smokers undergoing noncardiac surgery.
- To determine if a targeted intervention can increase long-term smoking cessation rates.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 324 male smokers admitted for noncardiac surgery.
- Intervention group received intensive counseling, videotapes, literature, nicotine replacement therapy, and phone follow-up.
- Comparison group received brief counseling and self-help literature.
- Biochemical confirmation (cotinine levels) was used to verify smoking cessation.
Main Results:
- At 12 months, 27% of the intervention group self-reported quitting versus 13% in the comparison group.
- Biochemically confirmed quit rates were 15% for the intervention group and 8% for the comparison group.
- The intervention demonstrated a statistically significant increase in long-term smoking cessation.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive smoking cessation intervention for hospitalized smokers significantly increases long-term quit rates.
- Surgical admissions present a valuable opportunity to engage smokers motivated to quit.
- Targeted interventions during hospitalization can lead to sustained smoking cessation.
