Pulmonary and Cardiac Smoking-Related History Improves Abstinence Rates in an Urban, Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Patient Population

Tobacco use continues to take the lives of many, and targeted interventions can counter this health burden. One possible target population is patients who have had a smoking-related diagnosis, as they may have a greater drive to quit. To assess whether patients with previous cardiac or pulmonary conditions directly attributable to smoking have greater rates of abstinence post-discharge from hospitalization in the CHART-NY trial. CHART-NY was a randomized comparative effectiveness trial comparing a more intensive versus a less intensive smoking cessation intervention after hospital discharge. We divided the 1618 CHART-NY participants into a smoking-related history group of 597 and a nonsmoking-related history group of 1021 based on cardiac or pulmonary conditions in a retrospective chart review. We conducted chi-squared analyses on baseline characteristics. Using follow-up survey data, we conducted chi-squared analyses on abstinence outcomes and made logistic regression models for the predictive value of smoking-related conditions on abstinence. A total of 1059 and 1084 participants in CHART-NY who completed both 2- and 6-month follow-up surveys respectively. Self-reported 30-day abstinence at 2- and 6-month follow-up and survey data for baseline characteristics. Those abstinent at 6-month follow-up were more likely to have a smoking-attributable history (OR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.09-1.81). When stratified based on intervention, only the intensive counseling group was significant (OR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.08-2.17). The regression model using a smoking-related comorbidity score was significant at 6 months (OR = 1.29, p = 0.03), and the multivariate logistic regression model analyzing each smoking-related condition separately demonstrated significance for myocardial infarction at 6 months (OR = 1.66, p = 0.03). People who smoke who have experienced smoking-related conditions may be more likely to benefit from smoking cessation interventions, especially intensive telephone-based counseling. Multiple conditions had an additive effect in predicting long-term abstinence after intervention, and myocardial infarction had the greatest predictive value.