Poor health among smokers obtaining colonoscopy screening: Making the case for cessation intervention

Objectives: Assess differences in perceived health status among individuals receiving colonoscopy screening based on smoking status. Study design: Cross-sectional data were collected as part of a larger study investigating whether verbal and non-verbal communication and behaviors of gastroenterologists and nurses. Method: Data for this study were collected between 2011 and 2013 among receiving colonoscopy screenings. Data were collected as part of a study assessing patients (n=1785) undergoing colonoscopy screenings about their expectations, concerns, understanding of the procedure, and perceived health status. Differences between current, former and never smokers were analyzed using a one-way between subjects ANOVA, with a Scheffe post hoc. Results: Post hoc analyses revealed that current smokers were significantly different from former or never smokers on the following variables: days their physical health was not good, days their mental health was not good, days health influenced their activities, days pain influenced their ability to perform activities, perceived general health, and current anxiety. Conclusion: This study looked at perceived health among individuals receiving colonoscopy screening by on smoking status, a relevant population based on the recent Surgeon Generals link. Former smokers reported similar health status across all variables as never smokers, suggesting the effect of quitting smoking on self-perceived health. With this link, tailored smoking cessation messages to smokers receiving colonoscopy screenings may be an excellent vantage point for a smoking cessation intervention.