[Two-month results are predictors of outcome in a smoking cessation program]

The supportive smoking cessation counseling (SSCC) and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) have been proved to be an effective aid to smoking cessation. The aim of this study was to determine whether the results obtained in a two-month treatment program to helping smokers quit by means of supporting smoking cessation counseling or nicotine replacement therapy included in the routine medical care, can be considered as predictors of success in the long term (one year).

A longitudinal and prospective study has been carried out, being included in the program all smoker patients who went a primary or specialist unit (n = 357) during a six-month term. The SSCC was carried out in those patients with a low nicotine dependence (Fagerström test < 7) or those who had not got a preparation stage yet. The NRT was tested in those patients with high nicotine dependence (Fagerström >= 7).

32 patients (9%) of the 357 did not turn up to the established controls,being thus considered as hopeless cases. The one-year study was completed by 177 patients in the SSCC group and 148 in the NRTgroup. Abstinence had been achieved by 39.2% of the SSCC group and by 36.2% of theNRT group 12 months later. Previously, in the SSCC group the observed abstinence after two months that the beginning of the program was 34% (27.4-40.7) and in the NRT group was 52.1% (44.5-59.8). The patients who were abstinents after two months of the beginning of the program were 19 times more likely to remain abstinent after a year (odds ratio, 19.4), showing in the SSCC group a sensitivity of 72.4% and a specificity of 90.7%, and in the NRT group the sensitivity was 93.2% and the specificity of 71.2%.

The results observed after two months of the beginning of the program are predictors of outcome and can allow modify the therapeutic attitude with the aim of achieve best rates of success.