How do people with rheumatoid arthritis experience participation in a smoking cessation trial: a qualitative study

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to gain more knowledge on how people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) experienced participation in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) testing the effect of a smoking cessation intervention since this intervention have not been tested on an RA population beforeMethods: We conducted a qualitative study with semi-structured individual interviews with 12 participants from the intervention group in the RCT.Results: Through thematic analysis we identified four themes: Instilling hope for smoking cessation, referring to the initial invitation to participate in the RCT; Various components of importance in the intervention, referring to cooperation with the smoking cessation counsellor, improved carbon monoxide levels, fear of becoming addicted to nicotine replacement therapy, and suggestions for additional components in the intervention which could promote motivation; Breaking habits, referring to ongoing reflection on quitting smoking; and Increased awareness of health, arthritis and smoking, referring to the lack of information on smoking and RA from health professionals, and the impact of smoking on RA symptoms and overall health.Conclusion: The results reflect the participants' perspective on what is meaningful to them when trying to quit smoking and adds important knowledge to future smoking cessation studies in this patient group.

Keywords: Smoking cessation; behaviour change; nicotine replacement therapy; qualitative research; rheumatoid arthritis; smoking; smoking cessation intervention.