Factors associated with nicotine replacement therapy use among hospitalised smokers.
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is recommended as a smoking cessation aid for hospitalised smokers. We examined factors associated with NRT use during hospitalisation and after discharge, and NRT uptake when systematically offered free of cost.


DESIGN AND METHODS
A nested analysis was conducted using data from a clinical trial that evaluated the effectiveness of a pharmacist-led smoking cessation intervention in 600 hospitalised smokers.


RESULTS
NRT was used at least once by 285 (48%) participants during hospitalisation and by 287 (48%) participants during the 12 months post-discharge. Heavy smokers and those who expressed interest in using NRT for their next quit attempt at baseline interview were more likely to use NRT during hospitalisation [odds ratio (OR) 1.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.38, 2.74; OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.48, 2.95] and after discharge (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.20, 2.41; OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.39, 2.79). Those using six or more medications were more likely to use NRT during hospitalisation (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.05, 2.61). Post-discharge NRT users were more likely to have been initially admitted for a respiratory or cardiac problem (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.05, 2.18). When NRT was offered free of cost to a subset of patients (n = 300), 157 (52%) used NRT during hospitalisation. Nicotine dependence and interest in using NRT predicted its use (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.38, 3.70; OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.58, 4.20).


DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
Targeting heavy smokers, those with cardio-respiratory conditions and those interested in using NRT regardless of regimen complexity could improve NRT uptake.
['Chui|Chang Yue|CY|0000-0003-1978-1591', 'Thomas|Dennis|D|', 'Taylor|Simone|S|', 'Bonevski|Billie|B|', 'Abramson|Michael J|MJ|', 'Paul|Eldho|E|', 'Poole|Susan G|SG|', 'Weeks|Gregory R|GR|', 'Dooley|Michael J|MJ|', 'George|Johnson|J|']
D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D005260:Female D006760:Hospitalization D006801:Humans D007297:Inpatients D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D009538:Nicotine D000074285:Smokers D016540:Smoking Cessation D061485:Tobacco Use Cessation Devices D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder D016896:Treatment Outcome
nicotine replacement therapy hospitalisation smoking smoking cessation