Are “Delayed Quitters” More Likely to Relapse Than Smokers Who Quit on Their Target Quit Date? A Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Records

Abstract

Introduction

Most smokers who are initially successful in their quit attempts return to smoking within the first few months. Identifying sub-populations at higher risk of relapse could help in relapse prevention efforts. We examined relapse rates in short-term abstainers who stopped smoking completely on their target quit date (TQD) and in those who needed more time to quit completely; and whether any difference in relapse between the two groups can be explained by baseline variables.

Aims and Methods

We identified 1172 smokers who achieved biochemically validated abstinence four weeks after their TQD at a stop-smoking clinic in London, and compared those who were abstinent from the TQD (immediate quitters) and those who only stopped smoking later (delayed quitters) in baseline characteristics. In a subsample of 308 clients followed up at one year, we compared relapse rates in immediate and delayed quitters while controlling for potential confounders.

Results

Delayed quitters smoked their first cigarette of the day earlier, had more past quit attempts, had lower confidence in quitting successfully, were more likely female and more likely to use varenicline. One-year relapse rates were 53% for immediate quitters and 77% for delayed quitters (OR = 2.83; 95% CI: [1.70–4.72]). In a multivariable regression adjusted for potential confounders delayed quitting remained significantly associated with relapse at one year (OR=2.41; 95% CI: [1.38–4.21]).

Conclusions

Ex-smokers who do not achieve abstinence on their TQD are at a higher risk of relapse than those who do. The effect was not explained by baseline variables.

Implications

Encouraging smokers to adhere to their TQD could improve treatment results. Relapse prevention efforts such as extended support and extended medication are likely to be particularly useful for delayed quitters.