Does short message service (SMS) increase adherence to smoking cessation clinic appointments and quitting smoking?

Abstract

Background: Using innovative and scientific methods increase the rate of quitting in smokers. SMS has been shown to increase the compliance of patients with SCC appointments. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of SMS in the compliance of patients with SBP follow-up visits and smoking cessation success. Materials and methods: We enrolled 219 cases with 6-months follow-up data out of 634 patients applied to SCC of Research Hospital between 01.10.2013-30.06.2014 and agreed to follow-up with SMS. Results: Fifty nine (26.9%) of the patients were female. The mean age was 45 ± 11 years. Mean number of control visits was 0.89 ± 1.2. Our patients9 smoking status queried by telephone at 6-month follow-up. According to this, 56 (25.6%) patients were not smoking, and 163 (74.4%) patients were smokers. Smoking cessation ratio was 27.3% in patients who did not respond SMS reminders at all, and it was 21.5% in patients answering any SMS at least once. There was no statistically significant difference between SMS responders (at least once) and nonresponders (p = 0.402). Smoking cessation ratio of the patients invited by SMS but not coming to any control visits was 16.5%, and it was found 36.7% in patients coming to control visit at least once. This difference was statistically significant (0.001). Conclusion: Among patients invited to the smoking cessation clinic by SMS, our study revealed that there were increased success of smoking cessation in patients coming to control visits. We think that this may result from possible increased compliance to the SCC appointments reminded by SMS, and this also may increase smoking cessation success.