[Impact of exhaled CO measurement. A randomised study among 578 smoking patients in general practice]

Abstract

Nicotine addiction (NA) is a serious public health problem and helping patients to stop consumption is a major concern for general practitioners (GP). The positive effects of "brief advice" are well known. The aim of our paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of adding exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) measurement using a CO analyser to a normal smoking cessation practice in a GP's office.

Methods: This was a descriptive study, using a questionnaire, among randomised smoking patients; one group receiving brief advice and the other brief advice plus exhaled CO analysis in their GP's office.

Results: Five hundred and seventy-eight questionnaires were analysed: 60% of smoking patients wished to stop smoking and 72% within the next 6 months, without significant difference between the two groups. In the group "minimal advice plus CO analyser" (282), 60% of the smokers reported that they had been influenced by the results of the level of CO in the exhaled air and were more motivated to quit because of this.

Conclusion: Measuring the level of exhaled CO in smokers helps to inform them of the dangers of their addiction and helps to motivate them to quit.