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· DOS Abstracts
Does an intensive alcohol cessation intervention at
the time of fracture surgery induce spontaneous
smoking cessation? - The Scand-Ankle study
Erika Wernheden, Marianne Aalykke, Bolette Pedersen, Julie W. M. Egholm,
Hanne Tønnesen
WHO-CC, Frederiksberg Hospital; Clinical Health Promotion Centre, Lund
University; Syddansk Universitet, Sygehus Sønderjylland
Background:
Patients with high alcohol consumption are at greater risk of de-
veloping postoperative complications than patients with low/no alcohol con-
sumption. Other risk factors are smoking, overweight, malnutrition and physi-
cal inactivity. Preoperative alcohol and smoking cessation programs have been
found effective in reducing postoperative morbidity, but it remains unknown
whether these induce a general change of lifestyle.
Purpose / Aim of Study:
The aim of this study was to find out whether the
gold standard alcohol intervention programme (GSP-A) used in the Scand-Ankle
study, affected smoking, overweight, malnutrition and physical inactivity.
Materials and Methods:
64 patients with high alcohol consumption, who un-
derwent ankle fracture surgery, were randomized to the GSP-A or usual care
(control). The two groups were compared at baseline and 6 weeks follow- up
regarding changes in lifestyle factors. Data were analyzed on an intention to treat
(ITT) basis using non-parametric statistics. A per protocol analysis of whether
alcohol cessation, regardless of study group, affected lifestyle risk factors after
6 weeks was also performed.
Findings / Results:
The ITT-analysis showed no significant differences be-
tween the GSP-A and control group regarding lifestyle risk factors other than
alcohol. The per protocol analysis showed that alcohol cessation regardless of
study group did not influence the other lifestyle risk factors.
Conclusions:
The GSP-A, which has been proven effective on short-term al-
cohol cessation, does not affect smoking, overweight, malnutrition and physical
inactivity. Thus, a potential effect of the GSP-A on postoperative complications
will likely be due to the effect on alcohol intake and not to a general change in
lifestyle. The findings suggest that multiple lifestyle interventions are required,
e.g. combined alcohol and smoking cessation.
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