Effect of Lung Cancer Screening, Smoking Cessation, and Cessation Smartphone App to Health-Related Quality of Life Among Heavy Smokers: Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) among heavy smokers can decrease lung cancer mortality. Smoking cessation intervention is recommended within the screening program; however, the methods for smoking cessation in the LDCT screening context are not well established. We have previously shown that a novel smartphone app can increase the chance for smoking cessation along with lung cancer screening. The effects of lung cancer screening, smoking cessation, and the use of smartphone apps on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are widely unknown. Objective: This study aims to investigate the effect of lung cancer screening, smoking cessation, and the use of smoking cessation app on HRQoL, an exploratory end point of the low-dose computed tomography screening for lung cancer combined to different smoking cessation methods in Finland (LDCT-SC-FI) study. Methods: This study was conducted as a part of the LDCT-SC-FI (NCT05630950), which was a randomized controlled trial investigating different smoking cessation methods in participants undergoing lung cancer screening with LDCT. The main inclusion criteria included an age of 50‐74 years, a marked smoking history (smoked ≥15 cigarettes per day for ≥25 years or smoked ≥10 cigarettes per day for ≥30 years), an active smoking status, and access to a smartphone. The recruitment was carried out by newspaper and internet advertisements and informing relevant health care units at hospital districts. The study participants (n=200), all at Oulu University Hospital, were randomized in 1:1 fashion to a yearly LDCT with standard smoking cessation (written material) or a stand-alone smartphone app–based cessation. HRQoL, an exploratory study end point, was assessed at baseline and at 1 year with Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30) and EQ-5D. Results: In total, 199 and 186 individuals had both questionnaires completed at baseline and at 1 year, respectively. We did not detect a change in HRQoL between the time points using QLQ-C30 global health status score or EQ-5D index score. Smoking cessation at 1-year time did not affect QLQ-C30 global health status or EQ-5D. We observed improved quality of life scores by EQ-5D at 1 year (control: mean 0.720, SD 0.197 vs app: mean 0.799, SD 0.197; improved in 17/93, 18% of controls vs 29/93, 31% in app arm), while there was no difference in means at baseline. Smartphone app arm reported reduced pain (EQ-5D effect size [ES] 0.049, 95% CI 0.006‐0.12; P=.01; adjusted ES 0.026; P=.007; QLQ-C30 ES 0.076, 95% CI 0.02‐0.16; P<.001; adjusted ES 0.05; P=.02) and increased mobility (EQ-5D ES 0.031, 95% CI 0.01‐0.09; P=.02; adjusted ES 0.037; P=.008) at 1 year. The number of completed questionnaires in the app was associated with improved HRQoL by EQ-5D (ES 0.073, 95% CI 0.00‐0.180; P=.04; adjusted ES 0.071; P=.04). Conclusions: This is the first study to test a smoking cessation smartphone app in the context of lung cancer screening. The use of the developed app correlated with improved HRQoL, mainly by decreased pain and fatigue. To conclude, the studied app provides a feasible and effective cessation intervention that is readily implementable in population-based lung cancer screening programs, with enhanced health benefits beyond smoking cessation.