The impact of smoking cessation on patient quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after twelve months of smoking cessation. METHODS: This was a prospective study to evaluate the effectiveness of a smoking cessation program on the quality of life of 60 self-referred subjects, at a public hospital, during the period of August 2006 to December 2007. The program consisted of 2-h group sessions once a week during the first month and then every 15 days over six months, followed by monthly phone contacts for another six months. The treatment was based on behavior modification and the use of bupropion in combination with nicotinic replacement therapy. Abstinence was verified by exhaled CO measurements. Patient HRQoL was quantified using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire. Differences in quality of life scores between quitters and non-quitters at twelve months after the initial intervention were evaluated using analysis of covariance with baseline characteristics as covariates. RESULTS: Self-reported quality of life scores were significantly higher among the 40 quitters than among the 20 non-quitters. The following SF-36 domains were most affected: role-emotional (p = 0.008); general health (p = 0.006); vitality (p < 0.001); and mental health (p = 0.002). At twelve months after the smoking cessation intervention, the SF-36 mental component and physical component summary scores were higher among quitters than among non-quitters (p = 0.004 and p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings illustrate that smoking abstinence is related to better HRQoL, especially in aspects of mental health.

The impact of smoking cessation on patient quality of life / Impacto da cessação tabágica na qualidade de vida dos pacientes

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after twelve months of smoking cessation. METHODS: This was a prospective study to evaluate the effectiveness of a smoking cessation program on the quality of life of 60 self-referred subjects, at a public hospital, during the period of August 2006 to December 2007. The program consisted of 2-h group sessions once a week during the first month and then every 15 days over six months, followed by monthly phone contacts for another six months. The treatment was based on behavior modification and the use of bupropion in combination with nicotinic replacement therapy. Abstinence was verified by exhaled CO measurements. Patient HRQoL was quantified using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire. Differences in quality of life scores between quitters and non-quitters at twelve months after the initial intervention were evaluated using analysis of covariance with baseline characteristics as covariates. RESULTS: Self-reported quality of life scores were significantly higher among the 40 quitters than among the 20 non-quitters. The following SF-36 domains were most affected: role-emotional (p = 0.008); general health (p = 0.006); vitality (p < 0.001); and mental health (p = 0.002). At twelve months after the smoking cessation intervention, the SF-36 mental component and physical component summary scores were higher among quitters than among non-quitters (p = 0.004 and p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings illustrate that smoking abstinence is related to better HRQoL, especially in aspects of mental health.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar alterações na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde (QVRS) doze meses após a cessação tabágica. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo para avaliar a efetividade de um programa de tratamento de fumantes, em relação à qualidade de vida, com 60 pacientes atendidos em um hospital público no período de agosto de 2006 a dezembro de 2007. O programa consistiu de sessões em grupo semanais com 2 h de duração durante o primeiro mês e quinzenais até o sexto mês, seguidas por telefonema mensal durante mais seis meses. O tratamento foi baseado na mudança comportamental e no uso de bupropiona associada à terapia de reposição nicotínica. A abstinência foi aferida pela medida de CO exalado. A QVRS dos pacientes foi quantificada através do questionário Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Diferenças nos escores de qualidade de vida entre ex-fumantes e fumantes ativos doze meses após a intervenção inicial foram analisadas utilizando-se a análise de covariância com as características basais como covariáveis. RESULTADOS: Os escores de qualidade de vida autorrelatados foram significativamente maiores nos 40 ex-fumantes do que nos 20 fumantes ativos. Os seguintes domínios do SF-36 foram mais afetados: papel emocional (p = 0,008); saúde geral (p = 0,006); vitalidade (p < 0,001) e saúde mental (p = 0,002). Doze meses após a intervenção para a cessação tabágica, os escores dos componentes físico e mental sumarizados foram maiores nos ex-fumantes do que nos fumantes (p = 0,004 e p = 0,001, respectivamente). CONCLUSÕES: Nossos achados ilustram que a abstinência tabágica está relacionada à melhora da QVRS, especialmente nos aspectos relacionados à saúde mental.