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Patterns and predictors of smoking cessation in an elderly cohort.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Whitson, HE; Heflin, MT; Burchett, BM
Published in: J Am Geriatr Soc
March 2006

OBJECTIVES: To identify subject characteristics that predict smoking cessation and describe patterns of cessation and recidivism in a cohort of elderly smokers. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Piedmont region, North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred seventy-three subjects enrolled in the North Carolina Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly who responded "yes" to question 179 on the baseline survey (Do you smoke cigarettes regularly now?) and survived at least 3 years, until the next in-person follow-up (1989/90). Subjects were classified as quitters (n=100) or nonquitters (n=473) based on subsequent smoking behavior. MEASUREMENTS: Reported smoking behavior, demographic characteristics of the smokers at baseline or subsequent interviews, 7-year mortality. RESULTS: After controlling for all characteristics studied, subjects who quit smoking were more likely to be female (P=.03) and showed a trend toward greater likelihood of a recent cancer diagnosis (P=.11). Recidivism was observed in only 16% (19/119) of subjects who reported no smoking in 1989/90. The percentage of subjects who died during 7 years of follow-up was 44.0% of quitters, compared with 51.6% of nonquitters. Smoking cessation was not associated with a statistically significant decrease in risk of death after controlling for other variables (odds ratio=0.78, 95% confidence interval=0.48-1.26). CONCLUSION: Smoking cessation in this elderly cohort was associated with different subject characteristics from those that predict successful cessation in younger populations, suggesting that older smokers may have unique reasons to stop smoking. Further study is needed to assess potential motives and benefits associated with smoking cessation at an advanced age.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Am Geriatr Soc

DOI

ISSN

0002-8614

Publication Date

March 2006

Volume

54

Issue

3

Start / End Page

466 / 471

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Survival Rate
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Smoking Prevention
  • Smoking Cessation
  • Smoking
  • Risk Factors
  • Recurrence
  • Prospective Studies
  • Prognosis
  • Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care
 

Citation

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Whitson, H. E., Heflin, M. T., & Burchett, B. M. (2006). Patterns and predictors of smoking cessation in an elderly cohort. J Am Geriatr Soc, 54(3), 466–471. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2005.00641.x
Whitson, Heather E., Mitchell T. Heflin, and Bruce M. Burchett. “Patterns and predictors of smoking cessation in an elderly cohort.J Am Geriatr Soc 54, no. 3 (March 2006): 466–71. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2005.00641.x.
Whitson HE, Heflin MT, Burchett BM. Patterns and predictors of smoking cessation in an elderly cohort. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2006 Mar;54(3):466–71.
Whitson, Heather E., et al. “Patterns and predictors of smoking cessation in an elderly cohort.J Am Geriatr Soc, vol. 54, no. 3, Mar. 2006, pp. 466–71. Pubmed, doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2005.00641.x.
Whitson HE, Heflin MT, Burchett BM. Patterns and predictors of smoking cessation in an elderly cohort. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2006 Mar;54(3):466–471.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Am Geriatr Soc

DOI

ISSN

0002-8614

Publication Date

March 2006

Volume

54

Issue

3

Start / End Page

466 / 471

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Survival Rate
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Smoking Prevention
  • Smoking Cessation
  • Smoking
  • Risk Factors
  • Recurrence
  • Prospective Studies
  • Prognosis
  • Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care