OBJECTIVES This study aimed to identify relapse patterns in smokers who participated in an inpatient treatment program and to investigate factors related to relapse.
METHODS
The participants comprised 463 smokers who participated in an inpatient treatment operated by the Daejeon Tobacco Control Center from 2015 to 2018. Participants received high-intensity smoking cessation intervention for 5 consecutive days, including pharmacotherapy and behavioral support, and continued with follow-up for 1 year to determine whether they maintained smoking cessation after discharge from inpatient treatment. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard models were used in the analysis.
RESULTS
Participants’ relapse rate within 1 year was 72.8%, and 59.8% of participants smoked again within 6 months after participation. A higher number of counseling sessions was significantly associated with a lower risk of relapse (hazard ratio [HR], 0.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17 to 0.32 for ≥9 vs. ≤5 counseling sessions). Conversely, higher relapse rates were significantly associated with the use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) (HR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.43 to 2.55 for use vs. no use), and higher levels of baseline expired carbon monoxide (CO) (HR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.21 to 2.06 for expired CO concentrations of 10-19 ppm vs. expired CO concentrations <10 ppm).
CONCLUSIONS
High-intensity smoking cessation interventions in hospital settings can be effective for smoking cessation in smokers with high nicotine dependence. In addition, the results suggest that for quitters to maintain long-term abstinence, they should receive regular follow-up counseling for 1 year after completing a high-intensity smoking cessation intervention.
Summary
Korean summary
• 한국은 국가금연정책의 일환으로 중증고도흡연자를 위해 고강도의 입원형 금연 중재 프로그램을 운영하고 있다.
• 고강도 금연 중재를 받은 후 첫 6개월은 재흡연이 가장 빈번히 일어나는 시기였다.
• 장기 금연을 유지하기 위해서는 고강도 금연 중재 후에도 1년간 지속적인 추후 상담이 이루어져야 한다.
Key Message
• South Korea operates a high-intensity inpatient treatment program for heavy smokers.
• Relapse typically occurred in the first 6 months after completing the intervention.
• Continuous 1 year follow-up counseling is important for long-term abstinence.
Citations
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