Smoking Cessation in Clinical Practice: Experience of a Multidisciplinary Team in Smokers with Multiple Chronic Conditions

Objectives: To inform the profile of smokers with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) inserted in a unit aimed at smoking cessation, as well as the routine of a team of health professionals in assisting this population. Methods: Monocentric cohort study, retrospective longitudinal evaluation data from users of a therapeutic group for smoke cessation, with 51 consecutive groups of smokers with MCC assisted by a multidisciplinary team in Juiz de Fora, Brazil. Treatment consisted of pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioural sessions followed by periodic evaluations up to 6 months. Results: Of the 348 smokers, 61.8% were female the average age was 56.2±9.1 years-old and 75.4% had low education. Physical inactivity 61.7%; alcohol abuse 18.6%; obesity 40.5%; hypertension, 89%; diabetes mellitus type 2, 47.5%; depression 49.7% and cognitive decline of 85.8%, among other diseases. Comparing who remained abstinent for 24 weeks or more with those who could not stop smoking, the abstainers had cessation rates of 18.7%. Brief cessation represented 57.7% and late cessation 58.3%. Those who stopped at the 4th and 12th week of follow-up were those who maintained abstinence (p<0.001). Conclusion: There was a considerable smoking rate, even among a population with multimorbidities and high cardiovascular risk. Strengthening, broadening and spreading tobacco control efforts is critical. Thus, health professionals must be motivated and able to conduct smoking cessation interventions.