EVALUATING THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF SMOKING CESSATION ON PULMONARY FUNCTION IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD) PATIENTS
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Keywords
COPD, Patients, Smokers, Lung, Function
Abstract
Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive respiratory condition primarily caused by smoking. While smoking cessation is known to benefit COPD patients, the long-term effects on pulmonary function remain to be fully understood.
Objective: To evaluate the long-term effects of smoking cessation on pulmonary function, exacerbations, hospitalizations, and quality of life in COPD patients.
Methods: A longitudinal observational study was conducted with 255 COPD patients. Participants were divided into two groups: Group A (smoking cessation, n = 145) and Group B (continuing smokers, n = 110). Lung function (FEV1) was measured annually, along with exacerbations, hospitalizations, and quality of life (St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire). Statistical analyses included mixed-effects models and multivariate regression to compare the outcomes between groups. Results: Group A (smoking cessation) had a slower decline in FEV1 (30 ml/year) compared to Group B (continuing smokers, 60 ml/year). Long-term quitters showed stabilization or slight improvement in FEV1. Group A experienced fewer exacerbations (1.5 per year) and hospitalizations (0.5 per year) than Group B (3 exacerbations and 1.2 hospitalizations per year). Smoking cessation was associated with a 15% improvement in quality of life scores, whereas continuing smokers reported a 10% decline in quality of life.
Conclusion: Smoking cessation has substantial long-term benefits for COPD patients, including slower lung function decline, fewer exacerbations and hospitalizations, and improved quality of life. These benefits increase with the duration of smoking cessation, highlighting the importance of early and sustained cessation efforts in COPD management.
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Syed Naveed Tahir
FCPS Pulmonology, Senior Registrar, Sahara Medical College, Narowal
Shanawar Saeed
Senior Demonstrator (Community Medicine.) department. Quaid-e-Azam Medical College. Bahawalpur
Raza Mustafa
FCPS Internal Medicine, Imran Idrees Teaching Hospital Sialkot
Sobia Niaz
Associate Professor Physiology, Gujranwala Medical College, Gujranwala
Mohammad Atiq Ur Rehman
Associate professor, Department of Medicine, Amna Inayat Medical Educational Complex Sheikhupura.
Iqra Sohail
Bahria University Medical and Dental College, Karachi
Aida El Alginawi
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine Najran University, Narjan
Khalil Alshammari
Department of Internal Medicine, Al Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh
Omnia Abdalla Mahmoud Higazy
College of Nursing, Jazan University, Jazan