Caracterización del tabaquismo en una unidad de cuidados intermedios de un hospital de referencia

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, are the epidemic of the 21^st century, smoking being a common risk factor. Objective: To characterize smoking patients in the Intermediate Treatment Unit (ICU) of the Chilean National Thorax Institute. Material and Method: Observational, analytical and descriptive study. 150 consecutive admissions to the ICU were evaluated from September 1 to December 1, 2022. Results: The prevalence of smoking was 56%, including former smokers. The average age was 64 years-old. Exposure to secondhand smoke was significant with 41.7% in active smokers. The associations with high blood pressure, COPD and lung cancer were significant. 20.2% of patients with lung cancer were active smokers. The days of stay in the unit, general hospital stay, or deaths were not significant. Conclusions: In our cohort the prevalence of smoking was higher than the national average and its link with NCDs is confirmed. We identified that secondhand exposure was significant, so efforts to stop smoking must be focused on both the patient and their immediate environment. Although some patients had a diagnosis of lung cancer, a significant percentage continued to smoke, making it important to incorporate this group of patients into specialized programs to reduce morbidity. With our study we reaffirm the importance of continuing national efforts to reduce smoking as a preventive action for NCDs and their complications.