Resultados de un programa psicofarmacológico de deshabituación tabáquica (parches y psicoterapia) tras doce meses de seguimiento

Objetive: The objective of our study was to know the effectivity of a mixed program (psychotherapy and patches) in giving up the smoking habit in relationship with an information and advice based intervention. Methodology: We studied a total of 129 patients who began treatment to give up smoking. Two study groups were formed: a control group (CG) of advice and information (N = 37) with the first patients and an intervention group or experimental group (EG, N = 92) in which psychotherapy techniques along with transdermic nicotine patches (nicotine replacement therapy) were used and which included the remaining patients consecutively. The mean level of dependence, quantified by the Fagerstom test, was 7.36 ± 1.79 points for the control group and 7.35 ± 2.07 for the experimental group. Control follow-ups were performed at three, six and twelve months after finishing the treatment, observing the abstinence situation by cooximetry. Non-smokers were considered to be exclusively those in whom values equal to or less than 5 ppm (particles per million) of CO 2 in exhaled air were observed. Results: Abstinence percentages at 12 months of follow-up were 8.1% in the control group both at three, six as well as twelve months and 41.3, 33.7 and 29.3% in the experimental group during the same period of time. The differences were statistically significant in all the control follow-ups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: We have observed 29.3% of successes in abstinence at one year of follow-up with psychotherapy treatment and nicotine patches, there being significant differences in relationship to the control group. We believe that the combination of psychological and pharmacological therapy presents as an efficient alternative in the giving up of smoking.