PREDICTORS OF SMOKING RELAPSE AFTER NONCARDIAC SURGERY

Objectives. We studied 235 smokers who were admitted for major noncardiac surgery and who survived hospitalization to determine the frequency and predictors of smoking relapse 1 year after hospitalization. Methods. We analyzed data collected prospectively from the Study of Perioperative Ischemia. We determined smoking status by self-report. Results. At 12 months posthospitalization, 142 (76%) of the 186 surviving patients had resumed smoking. Significant independent predictors of relapse at 12 months were a history of alcohol abuse and a history of heavy cigarette smoking (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Conclusions. Since smokers commonly undergo surgery, the perioperative period provides a valuable window of opportunity for smoking cessation interventions designed to decrease the high rate of smoking relapse after surgery.