[Tobacco consumption in hospitalized patients before and after the anti-tobacco law (28/2005)]

Abstract

Objectives: To know the prevalence of tobacco consumption in smokers during a hospital say and determine the variables associated with this consumption. To analyze if changes have occurred in its prevalence after the entry into force of the anti-tobacco law 28/2005.

Material and methods: A cross-sectional study of consecutive cases in the population admitted to a hospital before and after the entry into force of said law. A total of 1189 patients were surveyed. Of these 184 (15.4%) stated they were active smokers when the arrived to the hospital. A total of 135 (73.3%) of these accepted to participate in the study. Between 72 and 96 hours after their admission, they filled out a survey that included data on the smoking habit, social status and consumption of tobacco during their hospital stay. Carbon monoxide in the expired air was measured with a cooximeter. Smokers within the hospital were considered to be those patients who admitted having smoked during their hospital stay and/or those in whom the cooximeter result was greater than 6ppm.

Results: Of the 135 patients who completed the study, 53 (39.3%) smoked during their stay, 34.2% (95% CI: 22.6%-45.8%) before the law and 45.1% (95% CI: 31.9%-58.3%) after the law. No significant differences were found during the 2 years in which the data were collected (p=0.26). The variables which were independently associated to tobacco consumption during the hospital stay were: living along/without a partner (p=0.015, OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.22-6.65), Richmond test less than or equal to 7 (p=0.002, OR 3.64, 95% CI 1.60-8.31) and score on the variable "desire to smoke" greater than or equal to 2 (p<0.001, OR 4.85, 95% CI 2.08-11.28). Based on the evaluation of these parameters, the likelihood that a patient would smoke during the hospital stay can be determined (79.3% if the patient lives along, Richmond test <7 and survey on "desire to smoke" <2).

Conclusions: Tobacco consumption continues to be an important problem in the medical departments of the hospitals. Through the evaluation of 3 simple variables, it is possible to determine if a patient will smoke during the hospitalization.