Smoking cessation program in hospitalized patients due to acute respiratory disease

BACKGROUND Hospital environment is generally propitious to smoking cessation for several reasons such as a legal ban on smoking in hospital facilities, greater vulnerability facing acute illness and the continuous contact with healthcare professionals. AIMS To evaluate the effectiveness of intensive smoking cessation intervention during hospital admission due to acute respiratory disease and 6-month follow-up after hospital discharge. METHODS Prospective study that included patients admitted at our Pulmonology Department, due to acute respiratory disease, active smokers who consented to participate in smoking cessation counseling program, between January and December 2019. After hospital discharge, the patient completed 6-month follow-up. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS system version 24.0, using univariate analysis chi-square and t-test. RESULTS We included 30 patients, 86.7% male, with a mean age of 58.6 ±13.6 years. The mean length of stay was 10 ±11 days. The mean smoking time was 40.3 ±14.4 years and mean smoking load 40 ±26 pack-year units. The mean level of nicotine dependence by the Fagerstrom test was 4.3 ±2.8. None of the patients accepted smoking cessation pharmacological therapy. After hospital discharge, 19 patients were seen in consultation, 11 of whom maintained smoking cessation at 6 months, determining an overall smoking cessation rate of 36.7%. There was a statistically significant difference in the smoking cessation successful group regarding the motivation to quit smoking and the Richmond test, comparatively to unsuccessful group. CONCLUSIONS Smoking cessation counseling behavior programs during hospitalization, with regular follow-up after hospital discharge, contribute to an increase in smoking cessation rate. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.