Utilization of smoking-cessation pharmacotherapy among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer patients

AbstractObjective:Smoking is one of the major risk factors causing morbidity and mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer patients. Use of smoking cessation pharmacotherapy is an effective way to help quit smoking. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of smoking and the proportion of patients using smoking cessation agents, and to identify the socio-demographic factors that affect the use of these agents among COPD and lung cancer patients.Research design and methods:A retrospective study was done to identify smokers having COPD (ICD-9: 490–492) or lung cancer (ICD-9: 162), and those who use smoking cessation agents from 2006–2010, using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data. A multiple logistic regression model was built to identify significant socio-demographic predictors associated with the use of smoking cessation agents.Results:Around 16.8% of COPD patients and 15.1% of lung cancer patients reported smoking after diagnosis. Out of the total ...