OP0217 HPR EVALUATION OF PATIENTS’ EXPERIENCES OF AN INTENSIVE SMOKING CESSATION INTERVENTION FOR PEOPLE WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Abstract

Background Smoking is considered one of the most important modifiable environmental risk factors to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Smoking may also exacerbate the symptoms of RA. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) testing the effect of an intensive smoking cessation intervention on smoking cessation and disease activity in people with RA is currently being carried out (1). Objectives To evaluate how people with RA experienced an intensive smoking cessation intervention. Methods We conducted a qualitative study with individual interviews. Participants were recruited consecutively from the intervention group in a smoking cessation RCT after having completed both the smoking cessation intervention and the three-month follow-up visit. The analysis was based on thematic analysis (2). One patient research partner was involved in all phases of the study. Results In total 12 patients with RA were included (6 female, mean age 58 years (range 33-71)). We identified seven themes illustrating participants’ experiences of the smoking cessation intervention. The themes were; Instilling hope for smoking cessation referring to the initial invitation to participate in the RCT and the allocation to the intervention group, which participants seized as a chance to stop smoking, Having a fellow traveler on the road to smoking cessation referring to their cooperation with the smoking cessation counselor which was important for maintaining motivation for smoking cessation, Tangible evidence that smoking cessation makes a difference referring to improved carbon monoxide levels which motivated endeavors to quit smoking, Apprehension – fear of a new dependence referring to participants’ fear of becoming addicted to nicotine replacement therapy instead of smoking, Breaking habits referring to ongoing reflection on and efforts to quit smoking using the tools and knowledge obtained from the smoking cessation intervention, Why wasn’t I told? Referring to the lacking provision of information on smoking and RA from health professionals, and Denial referring to neglect of the detrimental impact of smoking on RA symptoms and overall health. Conclusion The participants were grateful for the offer to participate in a RCT and a smoking cessation intervention because it created an opportunity for them to stop smoking. They valued getting concrete information about detrimental effects of smoking on RA and RA treatment. Many requested that health professionals focus more proactively on smoking and smoking cessation.