Short- and Mid-term Effects of Acute Coronary Syndromes on Smoking Behaviour, Factors Affecting Smoking Status and the Family Physicians’ Role After Discharge

Abstract

Introduction:Cigarette smoking is one of the most important preventable risk factors for atherosclerotic diseases. This study aims to assess the smoking behaviour after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and aims to delineate the factors affecting smoking status after discharge.Methods:The Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence score, the sociodemographic status of patients, types of ACS and applied treatment methods were recorded. The Gensini scoring system was used to evaluate the extent and severity of coronary artery disease. Patients were reached via phone calls in the first, third and sixth month after discharge to assess their smoking status, their reasons for relapse and any recurrences of their diseases.Results:Forty-five percent of patients were treated for ST-elevated myocardial infarction, and 43.2% (n=48) had high or very high levels of dependence. Patients who had early symptoms had a higher rate of quitting smoking (p=0.009). Only 78.4% had thought of quitting smoking after discharge. Seventy-four (66.6%) patients underwent catheter-based interventions. The rates of relapse were 20.8% (n=15), 42.6% (n=32) and 53.9% (n=41) at the end of the first, third and sixth month after discharge, respectively. Gensini scores seemed to be higher among patients who had quit smoking (p<0.05). Patients who have received medical treatment had a higher rate of smoking than before the end of six months (p<0.05). Only 28.8% (n=32) of patients stated that they had received information about smoking cessation from their family physician and 3.6% (n=4) of patients have applied to a smoking cessation unit.Conclusion:Smoking cessation rates of patients who have suffered an ACS were low and rates of cigarette consumption in the following periods tended to increase. Family physicians should take a more active role in this topic in Turkey.

Keywords

• acute coronary syndrome
• primary care
• smoking
• smoking cessation
• preventive cardiology