Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation Advice Combined With Spirometric Results in Adult Smokers (ESPITAP)

Main objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of smoking cessation advice combined with a detailed discussion of the spirometric results with the primary care practitioner on the smoking habit in adult smokers.

Methodology:

Design: Intervention study using a randomised control group. Setting: 12 primary care centres of two health areas. Participants: 600 smokers, aged 35 to 70 years, seeking medical advice from their primary care practitioner (GP) for any given reason (selection visit), excluding those patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Measurements and interventions: In the selection visit, all participants will be required to undergo a series of tests that will include spirometry, tobacco dependence test, a test to measure the motivation to stop smoking and a structured questionnaire on sociodemographic data, smoking habit, respiratory symptomatology, etc. Based on the spirometric results, patients presenting airflow limitation will be excluded.

Randomisation will be performed using a computer programme. Randomisation will be carried out by the Coordinating Centre.

All other patients will be scheduled for another visit with their primary care practitioner one month later. In this visit (visit 1) and depending on the randomisation into 2 groups, one group will be given brief but structured smoking cessation advice together with a detailed and structured discussion of the spirometric results while the second group will also be given the same brief smoking cessation advice but without discussing the spirometric results. Both groups will be scheduled for a visit at 6 months (visit 2), and at 1 year (visit 3). During visit 2, the patient will be asked about his or her smoking habit. One month before visit 3, patients will be required to undergo again the series of tests performed prior to visit 1. In visit 3, all those patients who claim to have stopped smoking will be required to take a carbon monoxide test.

Inclusion criteria

• Adult smoker subjects aged between 35 and 70 years

Exclusion criteria

• Previous antecedents of any respiratory disease
• Suffering of any chronic or terminal disorder
• Counterindication to undertake spirometry or that may hinder the performance of the spirometry test