The effect of smoking cessation on rheumatoid arthritis activity, pain intensity, and quality of life in patients
https://doi.org/10.47360/1995-4484-2025-502-509
Abstract
Smoking is one of the main proven environmental factors that worsen the course and effectiveness of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment.
The aim – to evaluate the effect of smoking cessation on rheumatoid arthritis activity, pain, and quality of life in patients during a one-year prospective follow-up.
Material and methods. 194 patients included in the prospective intervention cohort (individual preventive counseling, “Smoking Cessation School”). The follow-up period was 12 months. Demographic and medical history data, information about comorbidity, and smoking status were analyzed. The activity of RA (Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) with erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and the intensity of pain (using visual analogue scale (VAS)) were evaluated at baseline and after 3, 6, and 12 months. The quality of life was assessed at the 6th and 12th months of follow-up using the SF-36 (Short Form 36) questionnaire and the HAQ (Health Assessment Questionnaire).
Results. At the time of baseline, there were no differences in the groups of those who continue to smoke and those who quit in the future in terms of activity RA, HAQ and VAS (all p>0.05). In patients in the smoking cessation group, disease activity was significantly lower by 6 months (p=0.000002), as were the HAQ and VAS values after 6 and 12 months (all p<0.05). By the end of the follow-up year, remission and low RA activity were recorded in 9 (40.9%) of those who quit smoking and 20 (13.8%) who continued (p=0.002). In patients who had given up smoking, physical functioning, role-playing physical functioning, and general health were significantly better (p=0.015, p=0.013, and p=0.026, respectively) at the time of a baseline. In all domains of the SF-36 questionnaire, at 6 and 12 months of follow-up were statistically significantly better for those who stopped smoking (all p>0.05).
Conclusion. The study shows the need to develop and implement educational programs on smoking cessation in RA in clinical practice.
About the Authors
Yu. V. Khokhlova
North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov ; V.A. Nasonova Saint Petersburg Clinical Rheumatology Hospital N 25
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Yuliya V. Khokhlova
191015, Saint-Petersburg, Kirochnaya str., 41
190068, Saint Petersburg, Bolshaya Podyacheskaya str., 30
Competing Interests:
None
O. V. Inamova
North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov ; V.A. Nasonova Saint Petersburg Clinical Rheumatology Hospital N 25
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Oksana V. Inamova
191015, Saint-Petersburg, Kirochnaya str., 41
190068, Saint Petersburg, Bolshaya Podyacheskaya str., 30
Competing Interests:
None
D. A. Shimanski
Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Daniel A. Shimanski
197022, Saint Petersburg, L’va Tolstogo str., 6-8
Competing Interests:
None
O. M. Lesnyak
North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov ; V.A. Nasonova Saint Petersburg Clinical Rheumatology Hospital N 25
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Olga M. Lesnyak
191015, Saint-Petersburg, Kirochnaya str., 41
190068, Saint Petersburg, Bolshaya Podyacheskaya str., 30
Competing Interests:
None
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For citations:
Khokhlova Yu.V., Inamova O.V., Shimanski D.A., Lesnyak O.M. The effect of smoking cessation on rheumatoid arthritis activity, pain intensity, and quality of life in patients. Rheumatology Science and Practice. 2025;63(5):502-509. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.47360/1995-4484-2025-502-509
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