PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Andrea Schäfer
AU  - Noémi Eszes
AU  - Zsuzsanna Kováts
AU  - Veronika Müller
TI  - Active smoking negatively affects recovery of patients hospitalized due to acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
DP  - 2011 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - p1101
VI  - 38
IP  - Suppl 55
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p1101.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p1101.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2011 Sep 01; 38
AB  - COPD is a progressive inflammatory airway disease most often caused by smoking. Significant proportion of COPD patients continues to smoke even in advanced stages, mainly as the result of severe tobacco dependence. COPD predisposes to depression making symptoms worse. Frequency and effects of active smoking and depression in patients hospitalized due to acute exacerbation of COPD is unknown.One hundred patients admitted to the Department of Pulmonology Semmelweis University with the diagnosis of COPD acute exacerbation were analyzed (men: women = 46:54). Detailed history, Fagerström nicotine dependence test (FNDT) and Beck depression inventory scale were registered, expiratory CO was measured. Spirometry at admission and release, length of hospital stay and data on medications were collected.Current smoker (S group, N=45) were compared to former (N=44) and never smoker (N=9) patients (non-S group). FNDT confirmed low dependence (3.9±0.4 points), Beck test results showed significantly higher scores for possible depression in S patients (S:12.7±1.3 vs. non-S: 9.4±1.0 p<0.05). GOLD stage distribution did not differ between groups. Spirometry confirmed no change in FEV1 predicted in smokers, while significant improvement was noted among non-S patients (ΔFEV1: S:0.50±11.65 vs. non-S: 7.45±14.90; p<0.05). S was associated with significantly longer hospital stay (S: 19.1±2.7 vs. non-S: 14.7±1.1 days p<0.05).Our results indicate that in patients hospitalized due to acute exacerbation of COPD treatment of smoking dependence is absolutely indicated as active smoking decreased improvement in health status and significantly increased hospital stay.