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-El ISTAPS has done in the framework of the redIAPP (network of preventive activities and health promotion) and has been coordinated from the University Institute of research in primary care IDIAP Jordi Gol

Spain, 2011-September although the vast majority of people know that smoking is harmful, although one-third of the adult population smokes. Many times people arises to quit when you already have a serious health problem. But studies have shown that the maximum benefit in both quantity and quality of life is obtained when before you stop smoking, preferably when there appeared no disease.

Primary care can play a key role in these stages. Indeed, during his lifetime people consult grounds several in the primary health care centre, some of them related to the consumption of tobacco and other, mostly, no.

At this point, the question was: are effective interventions in people who have been consulted for other reasons and that they do not ask for help specific to quit smoking? The ISTAPS study shows that Yes, 75% of the persons included in the study not raised in the near future tobacco cessation and the intervention of the family doctor and nurse has helped equally to those who wanted to leave immediately as to not raised it.

Different at different times interventions

The study relies on differentiating those who want to quit smoking in the near future and which not, and to apply different interventions. The person not so raised must reconsider the role of tobacco in his life, the pros and cons that he has for her tobacco cessation and has to find its own reasons.

The person who already wants to quit smoking need concrete strategies in some cases a drug. While intervention varies, the final results are similar in both cases (if we take into account other factors such as the dependence on nicotine, the age, or having a partner who smokes).

Young, with associated pathology people

The profile of people who have participated in the study is very similar to the usual Spain smoker (according to population health surveys show us). Their average age around 43 years, they have started smoking at age 16 and 80 per cent of social class medium and low and they are mostly sedentary. The study has been that, despite his age, 44% already declare having health problems associated with tobacco, although occasionally they have not consulted by the health problems either not associate them with smoking.

what is more relates to the success of smoking cessation?

In addition to having received the intervention of the doctor I nurse, which has been most associated with success is therefore the fact that the couple smoke, nicotine dependence, the number of cigarettes that they smoke every day and age of the person (when bigger is more likely to quit smoking.)

The intervention of the family physician and/or nurse according to the study protocol increases the chances of quitting successfully, long-term 50%. However, quitting is difficult and time-consuming, and only 8 per cent succeeds in a stable manner (more than one year) at the end of follow-up. It should be recalled here that these are people who in most cases not raised quit.

What are the main strengths of the study ISTAPS?

The fact that has been studied more than 2,800 smokers, most of them not consulted to quit smoking. The fact that there is no wait for people to see: If the intervention suits the moment is the smoker can help before that, for pathology or other similar reasons, ask for help.

The large number of centres and the health professionals involved (82 centres, 172 professional, 13 autonomous communities), showing that the intervention can be done in many circumstances and environments.

The long period of follow-up, 2 years, double that of the majority of published studies.

The ISTAPS is part of a series of studies carried out by the network of preventive activities and health promotion (redIAPP) financed by the Fund for health research and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and has been coordinated since IDIAP Jordi Gol.

what the IDIAP?

The Foundation Jordi Gol i Gurina was created in 1996 by the Catalan Health Institute, with the aim of promoting and managing innovation, training, teaching and research clinical, epidemiological and health services in the field of primary health care.

In 2006, he became the Institute for research in primary care Jordi Gol (IDIAP Jordi Gol), through the signing of an economic agreement with the Department of health and the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

From 2010 it is attached to the UAB as a University Institute of research in primary care.

The IDIAP works to make available to researchers the means and services that enable them to improve the development of their research; accredits, also ensures the projects and the process of research., promotes cooperation with other national and international research organizations, and participates in initiatives public or private establishment of innovative platforms for management or research in the field of primary care.

From August 2011 has the quality certification ISO 9001: 2008 for its support and advisory activities to project of research