title: Medical and pharmacological direct costs of a 9-week smoking cessation programme.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Medical and pharmacological direct costs of cigarette smoking cessation programmes are not covered by health insurance in several countries despite documented cost-effectiveness.
  
  
  METHODS
  prospective cost identification study of a 9-week programme in Switzerland.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 481 smokers were followed-up for 9 weeks. Socio-demographic characteristics, number of outpatient visits, dosage and frequency of use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) as well as date of relapse were prospectively collected. Individual cost of care until relapse or programme end as well as cost per week of follow-up were computed. Comparisons were carried out between the groups with or without relapse at the end of the programme.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 209 men and 272 women included, 347 patients (72%) finished the programme. Among them, 240 patients (70%) succeeded in quitting and 107 patients (30%) relapsed. As compared with the group relapsing by the end of the programme, the group succeeding in quitting was more often living in a couple (68% vs. 55%, p = 0.029). Their mean weekly costs of visits were higher (CHF 81.2 ± 6.1 vs. 78.4 ± 7.6, p = 0.001), while their mean weekly costs for NRT were similar (CHF 24.2 ± 12.6 vs. 25.4 ± 15.9, p = 0.711). Mean total costs per week were similar (CHF 105.4 ± 15.4 vs. 103.8 ± 19.4, p = 0.252). More intensive NRT at week 4 increased the probability not to relapse at the end of the programme.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Over 9 weeks, medical and pharmacological costs of stopping smoking are low. Good medical and social support as well as adequate NRT seem to play a role in successful quitting.
authors: Health Technology Assessment Unit, Medical Direction, University Hospital of Lausanne, Switzerland. jbw@chuv.ch
authors: Jean-Blaise
authors: JB
authors: Wasserfallen
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Digon
authors: Jacques
authors: J
authors: Cornuz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D016527:Drug Costs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018803:Models, Economic; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000191:economics; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013557:Switzerland; D013997:Time Factors; D061485:Tobacco Use Cessation Devices / Q000191:economics*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018722:Nicotinic Agonists