[Prevalence of tobacco dependency and its prevention in patients with persistent asthma]

To analyse in patients with persistent bronchial asthma the prevalence of tobacco dependency and its degree; and to assess measures of prevention.

Cross-sectional, descriptive study.

Allergy Service of the Lozano Blesa University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.

A total of 121 patients, from systematic selection of asthmatics attending for consultation.

Questionnaire filled out in the consulting room, recording social, demographic and clinical variables.

A sample of 121 patients was obtained, 62.7% women and 37.3% men. They had 5.87 +/- 4.99 years mean evolution of asthma. 21.5% were daily smokers, 4.1% occasional smokers, 27.3% ex-smokers, and 47.1% non-smokers. The ages of starting to smoke were < 10 years old, 1.7%; 10-15, 30%; 15-20, 56.7%; 20-25, 6.7%, and > 25, 5% (P > .05). There were significant differences between gender and tobacco dependency and between age and tobacco dependency (P < .01 and P < .014, respectively). 96.8% of smokers thought that tobacco was harmful to their health. This figure was 100% in daily smokers and 80% in occasional smokers (P < .02). 83.9% of smokers had the intention of giving up. Counselling to give up was received from the specialist (41.9%), the primary care doctor (12.9%), and both (9.7% of cases). 35.5% received no counselling.

The prevalence of tobacco dependency in patients with persistent asthma is lower than in the population as a whole; over a third receive no counselling about giving up. Interventions must be conducted in still healthy smokers and chronically ill patients in both primary and specialist care.