Factors Correlated with Success Rate of Outpatient Smoking Cessation Services in Taiwan

Abstract

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death. The purpose of this study was to explore the patient’s and physician’s factors that are correlated with smoking cessation success rate. A total of 877 smokers who visited the outpatient smoking cessation services at a medical center in Northern Taiwan were recruited for the study. Phone interviews were carried out six months after the initial visit to evaluate the success rate of smoking cessation. The result showed that the abstinence rate at six-month was 37.7%. By the multivariate logistic regression model, the predictive factors of abstinence were smokers who had a lower Fagerström test for cigarette dependence (FTCD), lower exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) concentration, or who smoked less than 20 cigarettes per day at the first visit. Smokers who had more than one smoking cessation outpatient visit or seen by physicians who, on average, delivered more than one smoking cessation consultations per week also led to a higher success rate. Therefore, we suggest that physicians should put more efforts and encourage follow-up visits for some smokers by knowing their characteristics at the first visit. Furthermore, physicians with more experience in smoking cessation consultation seemed to be more likely to help patients to quit smoking successfully.

Factors affecting success and abstinence within a smoking cessation clinic: A one-year follow-up study in Turkey

“…Research in Turkey detected higher rates of quitting smoking in patients who attended in three months one or more follow-up sessions, and even higher for three or more follow-up sessions 23 . A recent international study reported smokers who had more than one smoking cessation follow-up visit or were seen by a physician had a higher success rate 24 . Research has noted that the use of pharmacotherapy for at least five weeks was associated with an increased smoking cessation rate 15 .…”

Characteristics and Predictors of Abstinence Among Smokers of a Smoking Cessation Clinic in Hunan China

“…In a cross-sectional study in rural Andhra Pradesh, India, the smoking rate among men was significantly higher (50.3%) than among women (4.8%), but the SC rate among women (45.5%) was significantly higher than that among men (18.8%) In this study, univariate analysis showed no statistically significant difference between age bracket and success rate of SC. Some studies have suggested that age is a factor in the success of quitting, while others have found the opposite (21,(47)(48)(49). Further research is needed to determine the role of age as a factor in SC success.…”

A Positive Relationship between Betel Nut Chewing and Significant Liver Fibrosis in NAFLD Subjects, but Not in Non-NAFLD Ones

“…This relationship may be related to a healthy-worker-like effect, where it has been observed that workers typically exhibit lower overall death rates as compared to the general population because the severely ill and disabled are unable to work. In addition, smokers may change lifestyle when they suffer from diseases or are more aware of the harmful effects of smoking [ 64 , 65 ].…”