[Results of smoking cessation therapy in a specialist unit].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the results of smoking cessation therapy in a specialist unit by calculating the probability of continued abstinence at 6-month follow-up and analyzing differences according to the characteristics of the individuals.


METHODS
A prospective longitudinal study was undertaken in smokers who received multicomponent smoking-cessation therapy over a period of 3 months. Continued abstinence was assessed on the basis of self-report by participants and confirmed by measurement of exhaled carbon monoxide levels. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to assess the probability of continued abstinence. Log-rank tests were used to analyze differences in continued abstinence according to different qualitative variables.


RESULTS
The 1120 patients who participated in the study (56% men and 44% women) had a mean (SD) age of 44.1 (9.5) years. The mean score on the Fagerström test was 6.3 (2.1). Nicotine replacement therapy was provided in 70.8% of patients while 29.2% received bupropion. The probability of continued abstinence at 6 months was 62.2%. Individuals with a high dependence had a lower probability of continued abstinence at 6 months, as did those in whom treatment adherence was poor. No differences were observed in the probability of abstinence according to sex or type of pharmacological treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Individuals with a high nicotine dependence can benefit from intensive smoking-cessation treatment in a specialist unit to achieve continued abstinence.
Unidad de Tabaquismo FMZ, Departamento de Medicina y Psiquiatría, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain. isabelne@unizar.es
Isabel
I
Nerín
Pilar
P
Novella
Asunción
A
Beamonte
Pilar
P
Gargallo
Adriana
A
Jiménez-Muro
Adriana
A
Marqueta
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016540:Smoking Cessation