OP0217 HPR EVALUATION OF PATIENTS’ EXPERIENCES OF AN INTENSIVE SMOKING CESSATION INTERVENTION FOR PEOPLE WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Authors: Ida Kristiane Roelsgaard, Thordis Thomsen, Mikkel Østergaard, Anne Grete Semb, Lena Andersen, Bente Appel Esbensen
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2019)

<h3>Background</h3> 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). <h3>Objectives</h3> To evaluate how people with RA experienced an intensive smoking cessation intervention. <h3>Methods</h3> 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. <h3>Results</h3> 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; <b><i>Instilling hope for smoking cessation</i></b> 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, <b><i>Having a fellow traveler on the road to smoking cessation</i></b> referring to their cooperation with the smoking cessation counselor which was important for maintaining motivation for smoking cessation, <b><i>Tangible evidence that smoking cessation makes a difference</i></b> referring to improved carbon monoxide levels which motivated endeavors to quit smoking, <b><i>Apprehension – fear of a new dependence</i></b> referring to participants' fear of becoming addicted to nicotine replacement therapy instead of smoking, <b><i>Breaking habits</i></b> referring to ongoing reflection on and efforts to quit smoking using the tools and knowledge obtained from the smoking cessation intervention, <b><i>Why wasn't I told?</i></b> Referring to the lacking provision of information on smoking and RA from health professionals, and <b><i>Denial</i></b> referring to neglect of the detrimental impact of smoking on RA symptoms and overall health. <h3>Conclusion</h3> 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. <h3>References</h3> [1] Roelsgaard et al. The effect of an intensive smoking cessation intervention on disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials. 2017;18(1):570. [2] Braun V et al. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology. 2006;3(2):77-101. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> Ida Kristiane Roelsgaard: None declared, Thordis Thomsen: None declared, Mikkel &amp;Oslashacute;stergaard Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Celgene, Centocor, Merck, Novartis, Consultant for: Abbvie, BMS, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Hospira, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Novo, Orion, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, and UCB, Speakers bureau: Abbvie, BMS, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Hospira, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Novo, Orion, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, and UCB, Anne Grete Semb: None declared, Lena Andersen: None declared, Bente Appel Esbensen Speakers bureau: For Pfizer