Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is mainly caused by smoking, and smoking cessation is the single most important intervention to prevent disease progression. Most studies show that many initially successful quitters relapse within 1 year. Our aim was to study the outcome of a smoking cessation program after 1 and 3 years. Abstinence outcomes in a group of COPD patients who participated in a 1-year smoking cessation program (N = 247) were compared with those of a group of COPD patients who received usual care (N = 231). The smoking cessation program included a 2-week period of hospitalization. Nicotine replacement therapy and physical exercise were recommended, and education was given in group sessions. Feedback and encouraging comments by phone from the specially trained staff continued during the full year. Follow-ups were performed 1 and 3 years after the start of the smoking cessation program. In the intervention group, 52% were smoke free after 1 year and 38% after 3 years. Corresponding quit rates in the control group were 7% after 1 year and 10% after 3 years. We found no significant differences between subjects who had low or high baseline scores on the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence in regard to their ability to stop smoking successfully. This comprehensive smoking cessation program with hospitalization and a long follow-up period resulted in high quit rates even after 3 years. Despite high costs for this aggressive smoking cessation program, beneficial economic effects are likely to be obtained in the long run.
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