Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Predictors of success in a smoking cessation clinic

  • Brief Report
  • Published:
Journal of General Internal Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We identified factors associated with success among the first 531 patients referred to a Veterans Affairs Medical Center smoking cessation clinic. Both patients and providers completed questionnaires covering smoking history, other health habits, and comorbidity. The 3-month success rate was 23% of all referrals or 42% of clinic attendees. Among those referred, factors associated with their success were being at least 50 years of age, having hyperlipidemia, and not currently drinking alcohol. Among those who attended the clinic at least once, factors associated with success were being at least 50 years of age, being less physically active, and not currently drinking alcohol. Neither patients nor providers could predict who would successfully stop smoking.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Kottke KE, Battista RN, DeFriese GH, Brekke ML. Attributes of successful smoking cessation interventions in medical practice: a meta-analysis of 39 controlled trials. JAMA. 1988;259:2883–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Persico AM. Predictions of smoking cessation in a sample of Italian smokers. Int J Addict. 1992;27:683–95.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Duncan CL, Cummings SR, Hudes ES, Zahnd E, Coates TJ. Quitting smoking: reasons for quitting and predictors of cessation among medical patients. J Gen Intern Med. 1992;7:398–404.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Freund KM, D’Agostino RB, Belanger AJ, Kannel WB, Stokes J III. Predictors of smoking cessation: the Framingham Study. Am J Epidemiol. 1992;135:957–64.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Di Tullio M, Granata D, Yaioli E, et al. Early predictors of smoking cessation after myocardial infarction. Clin Cardiol. 1991;14:809–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Prochaska JO, DiClemente CC, Velicer WF, Ginpil S, Norcross JC. Predicting change in smoking status for self-changers. Addict Behav. 1985;10:395–406.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Hymowitz N, Sexton M, Ockene J, Grandits G. Baseline factors associated with smoking cessation and relapse. Prev Med. 1991;20:590–601.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Fagerstrom KO. Measuring degree of physical dependence to tobacco smoking with reference to individualization of treatment. Addict Behav. 1978;3:235–41.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Weiss TW, Slater CH, Green LW, Kennedy VC, Albright DL, Wun CC. The validity of single-item, self-assessment questions as measures of adult physical activity. J Clin Epidemiol. 1990;43:1123–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Ewing J. Detecting alcoholism: the CAGE questionnaire. JAMA. 1984;252:1905–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Sherman SE, Weber F, Nguyen B, Davis M, Gosier T, Yamamoto C. Design and Implementation of a VA Smoking Cessation Clinic and Results from the First 10 Months. Sepulveda, Calif: VA Medical Center; September 1996. PACE Technical Monograph, Series VA-S-96701.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Collins RL, Emont SL, Zywiak WH. Social influence processes in smoking cessation: postquitting predictors of long-term outcome. J Subst Abuse. 1990;2:389–403.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Olsen GW, Lacy SE, Sprafka JM, et al. A 5-year evaluation of a smoking cessation incentive program for chemical employees. Prev Med. 1991;20:774–84.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Norregaard J, Tonnesen P, Petersen L. Predictors and reasons for relapse in smoking cessation with nicotine and placebo patches. Prev Med. 1993;22:261–71.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Curry S, Thompson B, Sexton M. Omenn GS. Psychosocial predictors of outcome in a worksite smoking cessation program. Am J Prev Med. 1989;5:2–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Hurt RD, Lowell DC, Fredrickson PA, et al. Nicotine patch therapy for smoking cessation combined with physician and nurse follow-up. JAMA. 1994;271:595–600.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Kenford SL, Fiore MC, Jorenby DE, et al. Predicting smoking cessation: who will quit with and without the nicotine patch. JAMA. 1994;271:589–94.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Bandura A. Self-efficacy: toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychol Rev. 1977;84(2):191–215.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Hurt RD, Offord KP, Croghan IT, et al. Mortality following inpatient addictions treatment: role of tobacco use in a community-based cohort. JAMA. 1996;275:1097–103.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. the Preventive Medicine Program, Primary Ambulatory Care and Education Center, Sepulveda (Calif.) Veterans Affairs Medical Center, USA

    Scott E. Sherman MD, MPH & Bob Nguyen

  2. The Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles

    Scott E. Sherman MD, MPH

  3. The VA Center for the Study of Healthcare Provider Behavior, Sepulveda (Calif.) Veterans Affairs Medical Center, USA

    Scott E. Sherman MD, MPH & Ming Ming Wang MPH

  4. Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass.

    Bob Nguyen

Authors
  1. Scott E. Sherman MD, MPH
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ming Ming Wang MPH
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Bob Nguyen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

The Sepulveda VAMC Stop Smoking Clinic has received an unrestricted grant from Marion Merrell Dow, Inc.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sherman, S.E., Wang, M.M. & Nguyen, B. Predictors of success in a smoking cessation clinic. J Gen Intern Med 11, 702–704 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02600163

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02600163

Key words

Search

Navigation