Smoking cessation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is increasing in prevalence, and is predicted to become the third leading cause of deaths worldwide by 2020. The precise prevalence of COPD is not known, as many individuals with the disease are left undiagnosed, despite the requirement of only simple spirometry testing for disease detection. The major risk factor for the development of COPD is cigarette smoking, with 90% of deaths from COPD directly attributable to smoking. Therefore smoking cessation is the most effective means of halting or slowing the progress of this disease. This review summarizes and compares the differential characteristics of smokers with COPD vs. those without COPD in relation to their smoking behavior and quitting attempts, and discusses the various strategies that can be used to help patients quit and improve their likelihood of long-term smoking cessation. Of the various behavioral interventions available that can increase the likelihood of smoking cessation, one of the simplest and most effective strategies that physicians can use is simply to advise their patients to quit, particularly if this advice is combined with informing the patients of their "lung age". We also discuss the pharmacologic therapies used to enhance the likelihood of quitting, including nicotine replacement, bupropion SR and varenicline, along with novel nicotine vaccines, which are currently undergoing clinical trials.

Calculating gambling odds and lung ages for smokers

“…This should elicit a response and open discussion regarding the dangers of continuing cigarette smoking. Referral to support groups, educational and counselling sessions, and the use of newer pharmaceuticals all offer avenues for success [8,9,20,29,30].…”

Interrelated role of cigarette smoking, oxidative stress, and immune response in COPD and corresponding treatments

“…Evidence suggests that multicomponent cessation programs wherein health care providers combine counseling with pharmacotherapy, ongoing support, and follow-up when needed can further improve cessation rates. It was reported that counseling, pharmacotherapy treatments, and NRT are also effective (53,119,124,127,133). According to two independent systematic reviews by Warnier et al (135) and van der Meer et al (129), pharmacological and behavioral (psychosocial) intervention was more effective than no intervention.…”

“…As a result, continued tobacco use can lead to millions of deaths and billions of dollars in estimated healthcare costs. Accordingly, an estimated 90% of all deaths from COPD can be attributed to CS (124). Research has shown that early smoking cessation alleviates the progression of this debilitating pulmonary disease (8,9,107).…”

Effects of smoking ban in Turkey on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A retrospective analysis

“…nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline, bupropion) should be combined with strong motivation. A study conducted by Tashkin and Murray [13] in the Netherlands reported a 42% smoking cessation rate in one year among smoking patients with COPD; however, this rate was reported to be 68% in patients without COPD. In another study conducted by the same author, smoking cessation rate was lower in females with COPD due to fear of weight gain, compared to male patients.…”