Abstract
Introduction: Diagnosing COPD at early stages is crucial since the prognosis can be modified. Nevertheless most COPD pts are diagnosed at stages III&IV due to absence of respiratory symptoms at early stages. A smoking cessation program could help in identifying COPD pts by performing spirometry and increase smoking cessation rates using COPD diagnosis as a motive.
Aim: 1)To evaluate the rates of undiagnosed early COPD pts (stage I&II according GOLD) in our smoking cessation program.
2) To assess the effectiveness of COPD diagnosis as a motivational tool for quitting smoking.
Methods: 551 current smokers (>18yrs), attended voluntarily our outpatient smoking cessation clinic. All smokers performed Spirometry. Behavioral counseling and pharmacotherapy with varenicline were administered.
Results: 1) 86 of 551 smokers were COPD patients (81 first diagnosed) with minor symptoms that were underestimated
. 2) Smoking abstinence rates at 3m was significantly higher in first diagnosed COPD pts (95% vs. 55%)
Conclusion: A SC program is an opportunity to identify undiagnosed COPD pts. COPD diagnosis can be used effectively as a motive for quitting smoking. SC combined with adequate pharmacological treatment and vaccination can reduce the rate of yearly FEV1 decline and exacerbations and thus improve health related quality of life.
- © 2014 ERS