An example of comprehensive approach to tobacco cessation: Collaboration with Rheumatology Clinic

Abstract

Background and aim: For a comprehensive approach to adult smoking cessation, all physicians' contribution is much more relevant than the individual efforts. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of brief cessation intervention on smoker patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases provided by their primary rheumatologist with the collaboration of our cessation service.

Methods: Data was collected from current smokers aged 18 years and over with a diagnosis of inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Brief cessation interventions (5A/5R) were implemented by the same rheumatolog. Their appointments to smoking cessation outpatient clinic from the same hospital were arranged instantly. Their quit status was evaluated and confirmed by exhaled air carbon monoxide measurements at third month.

Results: A total of 184 current smoker patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 45.5 (SD:12.4), 43.4% were female. The majority consisted of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (46.1%) and ankylosing spondylitis (38.0%). Of the patients, 117 (63.5%) were willing to quit. The mean scores of Fagerström test for nicotine dependence were lower in group willing to quit compared to the rest. At the third month, quit rate of total group was 13.5%; 21.3% among the group willing to quit, 39% among the admitters to cessation clinic and 14% among the non-admitters. None of the unwilling had quit smoking.

Conclusion: The effectiveness of this collaboration with rheumatology clinic revealed that all physicians should gain competent experience in smoking cessation counseling and should cooperate with smoking cessation clinics for their patients.