How to address smoking cessation in HIV patients

HIV Med. 2015 Apr;16(4):201-10. doi: 10.1111/hiv.12193. Epub 2014 Oct 9.

Abstract

Tobacco consumption is the modifiable risk factor contributing most to the development of non-AIDS-defining events among persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Clinicians' awareness of this problem is critical and not yet adequate. Practical information issued by public health authorities or contained in experts' clinical guidelines regarding how to address smoking cessation in PLWHA is scarce. The aim of this review is to provide physicians with comprehensive and practical information regarding how to identify HIV-positive patients willing to stop smoking and those more likely to succeed, how to choose the most suitable strategy for an individual patient, and how to help the patient during the process. In the light of current evidence on the efficacy and benefits of stopping smoking in PLWHA, physicians must actively pursue smoking cessation as a major objective in the clinical care of PLWHA.

Keywords: HIV; cessation; smoking.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Directive Counseling / methods*
  • HIV Infections / physiopathology
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Promotion
  • Humans
  • Motivation
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Risk Factors
  • Smoking / adverse effects*
  • Smoking / physiopathology
  • Smoking Cessation / methods*
  • Tobacco Use Cessation Devices
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / physiopathology
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / prevention & control*