Tratamiento del tabaquismo en la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica

Abstract

Background

To quit smoking is the most effective and most cost-efficient way to reduce risk of causing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Furthermore, to quit smoking is the only treatment that has been demonstrated to stop the development of the disease as it prevents the progressive deterioration of pulmonary function. Our study has aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the pharmacological treatment associated with psychological counseling to quit smoking in patients with COPD and to determine which drug obtains the best results.

Methods

An analytic, longitudinal and prospective study was conducted. A total of 378 smokers with COPD who came seeking help to quit smoking were included. A clinical history of smoking habit was obtained in every case. In all, 7 visits were conducted (Baseline, 2nd and 4th weeks; 2nd, 3rd and 6th month, and finally at week 52). There were also telephone calls in between. All subjects received psychological support, drug therapy and were given written self-help material. Pharmacological interventions included treatment with Varenicline (VNC), Bupropion (BP) and nicotine patches (TSN), with a duration of 8 to 12 weeks. Verbal statement of abstinence was confirmed by expired air (<10 ppm) CO (carbon monoxide) physiological validation.

Results

Mean age was 56.7 (±9.3) years, and 67.6% were males. Mean age of onset of smoking was 15.5 (±4.7) years. Mean cigarettes consumed per day were 27.9 (±12.5). Analysis of physical dependence on nicotine using the Fagerström test showed a mean of 7.2 (±2.8) and motivation by the Richmond test a mean of 8.6 (±1.4). The first cigarette was lit up in less than 30 minutes by 90% of the participants. Abstinence rates with different drugs were the following at the 12th week (VNC 51%; BP 46%; TSN 41%), at week 24 of follow-up (VNC 47%; BP 38%; TSN 34%) and at the end of the study at week 52 (VNC 36%; BP 29%; TSN 27%). The three drugs used in our study were well-tolerated and safe. TSN was the drug causing the least and mildest adverse effects. Nausea and headache were the most frequent in subjects using Varenicline. Insomnia and mouth dryness were the most frequent among Bupropion users. In most of the cases, the adverse effects were mild. Withdrawal of the medications was only necessary in 6% of the participants.

Conclusions

Participants had elevated daily cigarette consumption and severe dependence. The 1st cigarette was lit up in less than half an hour. They had high motivation and 71% had made more than one attempt to quit smoking. First line pharmacological therapy has been demonstrated to be effective, safe and well tolerated in this subgroup of patients. Higher rates of abstinence were obtained with Varenicline compared to Bupropion and nicotine patches.