THE LACK OF FOLLOW-UP ENDANGERS THE RESULTS OF A SMOKING CESSATION PROGRAM

Introduction: Of the patients who come to the consultation to stop smoking, many do not return to the second consultation, so they do not initiate the treatment. Objective: To assess the follow-up of a smoking cessation program and analyze the characteristics of this population. Patients and Methods: We analyzed 1484 patients who attended the Specialized Smoking Treatment Unit of the University Hospital Complex of Albacete from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2012, assessing anthropometric and social characteristics. Statistical Analysis: Chi-square and Fisher's exact test were used for qualitative variables and Student's t for quantitative variables and a logistic regression was performed to avoid confounding variables. The level of significance was established with p <0.05 Results: A total of 1484 patients were included in the study. Of these, 731 subjects abandoned the treatment without going to the second consultation, this is 49.26% of the total. In the logistic regression model that was done, it was not observed that any variable had a significant influence. Conclusion: There is an excess of patients who, despite waiting for time to attend a first appointment, do not continue. This is a failure that we must study