Reliability of self-reported smoking in foot and ankle patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Reliability of self-reported smoking status against exhaled Carbon Monoxide (eCO) measurement in patients undergoing fusion surgery around the foot and ankle
IRAS ID
323764
Contact name
Kalpesh Shah
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Golden Jubilee Foundation
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Smoking is known to increase the risk of anaesthetic and surgical complications peri- and post-operatively. In foot and ankle surgery, smoking is associated with low bone mineral density, delayed fracture healing, implant failure, and increased rates of wound healing complications. Of note, procedures involving bony fusion were associated with negative outcomes in smokers. Active smoking is a significant modifiable risk factor and smoking cessation has been shown to decrease postoperative complications even if it is implemented as late as four weeks before surgery. Thus, it is important to identify active smokers prior to surgery so that smoking cessation therapies could be administered to achieve abstinence and minimize these risks.
Traditionally, an individual’s smoking status is assessed with self-reported smoking (SRS) questionnaires. This has certain disadvantages as it is patient reported and can be inaccurate in certain patient populations, ranging from 1% to 47% lower than the directly measured value, depending on the population of interest and the reason for assessment. Another way to objectively assess an individual’s smoking status is via measuring exhaled Carbon Monoxide (eCO). This method is rapid, non-invasive, relatively inexpensive, and can easily be assessed using portable handheld devices in the outpatient setting.
The purpose of this pilot study is to determine how reliable self-reported smoking status and cessation is in the orthopaedic foot and ankle population undergoing fusion surgery, and to assess the feasibility of testing for eCO in the elective orthopaedic surgical setting. We hypothesize that certain patient factors may be associated with inaccuracy in self-reported smoking status, and that eCO monitoring can be used to help confirm smoking status as well as promote interest in smoking cessation.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/NE/0145
Date of REC Opinion
14 Aug 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion