The use of bupropion SR in cigarette smoking cessation

Cigarette smoking remains the largest preventable cause of premature death in developed countries. Until recently nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) has been the only recognised form of treatment for smoking cessation. Bupropion, the first non-nicotine based drug for smoking cessation was licensed in the United States of America (US) in 1997 and in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2000 for smoking cessation in people aged 18 years and over. Bupropion exerts its effect primarily through the inhibition of dopamine reuptake into neuronal synaptic vesicles. It is also a weak noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor and has no effect on the serotonin system. Bupropion has proven efficacy for smoking cessation in a number of clinical trials, helping approximately one in five smokers to stop smoking. Up to a half of patients taking bupropion experience side effects, mainly insomnia and a dry mouth, which are closely linked to the nicotine withdrawal syndrome. Bupropion is rarely associated with seizures however care must be taken when co-prescribing with drugs that can lower seizure threshold. Also, bupropion is a potent enzyme inhibitor and can raise plasma levels of some drugs including antidepressants, antiarrhythmics and antipsychotics. Bupropion has been shown to be a safe and cost effective smoking cessation agent. Despite this, NRT remains the dominant pharmacotherapy to aid smoking cessation.     

Five-year outcomes for a smoking cessation clinic

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In Turkey, smoking cessation clinics have increased rapidly in recent years. We evaluated the demographic characteristics and the factors influencing the success of quitting among participants in a smoking cessation programme who completed a 5-year follow up. METHODS: An observational study was conducted on all smokers who attended a smoking cessation clinic between April 2000 and June 2005. RESULTS: Of the 350 participants recruited, 58% (n = 203) were male and 42% (n = 147) were female; 43.7% were university graduates. The average age of participants was 37.4 +/- 11.8 years; the average nicotine addiction level, according to the Fagerstrom nicotine dependence questionnaire, was 5.4 (+/-2.0). Seventy-eight (40.2%) of the 194 individuals who stopped smoking were women. At the end of 5 years, 34.6% of participants who attempted to quit were still successful. There was no difference between men and women in terms of their success in quitting after 5 years. Participants who received nicotine replacement therapy remained free of cigarettes 1.9 times (95% CI: 1.2-2.9) longer than those who did not. CONCLUSION: Smoking cessation programmes should use a combination of behavioural and pharmacological therapies.     

How to address smoking cessation in HIV patients

Tobacco consumption is the modifiable risk factor contributing most to the development of non‐AIDS‐defining events among persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Clinicians' awareness of this problem is critical and not yet adequate. Practical information issued by public health authorities or contained in experts' clinical guidelines regarding how to address smoking cessation in PLWHA is scarce. The aim of this review is to provide physicians with comprehensive and practical information regarding how to identify HIV‐positive patients willing to stop smoking and those more likely to succeed, how to choose the most suitable strategy for an individual patient, and how to help the patient during the process. In the light of current evidence on the efficacy and benefits of stopping smoking in PLWHA, physicians must actively pursue smoking cessation as a major objective in the clinical care of PLWHA.     

Outcome of a smoking cessation programme run in a routine hospital setting

Abstract
Background : Although tobacco smoking remains the largest preventable cause of mortality in Australia, resources to assist with cessation remain scarce. Research studies have demonstrated improved cessation rates with interventions such as counselling and pharmacotherapy, but there is little information on success in routine clinical practice.
Aims : To determine the outcome of a smoking cessation programme run in a routine hospital outpatient setting.
Methods : A prospective audit of patients referred to an outpatient smoking cessation programme by hospital specialists or general practitioners. The programme consisted of fortnightly counselling sessions, with nicotine replacement therapy when clinically indicated. Self-reported abstinence rates were determined by contacting patients by letter or telephone at 3 and 12 months. Abstinence was confirmed, whenever possible, by measuring the expired carbon monoxide (CO) concentration.
Results : Over 12 months, 226 new patients were seen through the programme. There was a correlation between the number of cigarettes smoked and the baseline Fagerstrom score ( r = 0.49, P < 0.001). Approximately 40% of subjects could not be contacted for follow up. At 3 months the self-reported abstinence rate was 31%, falling to 19% by 12 months. Measurement of expired CO concentrations proved that self-reported abstinence was reliable.
Conclusions : The abstinence rates achieved by our programme compared well with those previously reported in the literature, demonstrating the effectiveness of a smoking cessation programme run in routine clinical practice. There was an increasing relapse rate during the period of follow up. (Intern Med J 2002; 32: 24–28)     

Assessment of factors associated with smoking cessation at diagnosis or during follow‐up of Crohn's disease

Background and Aim

Smoking cessation is known to improve the course of Crohn's disease (CD). However, the factors associated with smoking cessation after CD diagnosis have not been well established.

Methods

Clinical characteristics and change in smoking status were evaluated in 445 current smokers at the time of CD diagnosis. Patients were classified into three subgroups based on their final smoking status and time of smoking cessation: non‐quitters, quitters at diagnosis, and quitters during follow‐up.

Results

The overall smoking cessation rate was 55.7% (248 of 445 patients). The diagnosis of CD was the main reason for quitting (41.5%, 103 of 248 patients). Smoking cessation at the time of CD diagnosis was associated with intestinal resection within 3 months from CD diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] 2.355, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.348–4.116, P = 0.003), light smoking (OR 2.041, 95% CI 1.157–3.602, P = 0.014), and initiation of smoking before 18 years of age (OR 0.570, 95% CI 0.327–0.994, P = 0.047). Light smoking (OR 1.762, 95% CI 1.019–3.144, P = 0.043) and initiation of smoking before 18 years (OR 0.588, 95% CI 0.381–0.908, P = 0.017) were also associated with overall smoking cessation.

Conclusion

Quitters after CD diagnosis, including quitters at diagnosis and quitters during follow‐up, had features distinct from those of non‐quitters. Given the motivation at CD diagnosis, a detailed history of smoking habits should be taken and all current smokers should be encouraged to quit smoking at the time of CD diagnosis.     

Extended cognitive behavior therapy for cigarette smoking cessation

PRIMARY AIM: Examine the effectiveness of extended cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in promoting longer-term smoking abstinence. DESIGN: Open-label treatment phase followed by extended treatment phase. Randomization conducted prior to entry into open-label treatment phase; analysis based on intention-to-treat to avoid threat of selection bias. SETTING: Community smoking cessation clinic. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 304 adult smokers (> or = 18 years of age; > or = 10 cigarettes/day). INTERVENTION: Open-label (8 weeks): all participants received bupropion SR, nicotine patch, CBT. Extended treatment (12 weeks): participants received either CBT + voicemail monitoring and telephone counseling or telephone-based general support. MEASUREMENTS: Seven-day point prevalence abstinence, expired-air carbon monoxide. RESULTS: At week 20 follow-up, CBT produced a higher 7-day point prevalence abstinence rate: 45% versus 29%, P = 0.006; at 52 weeks the difference in abstinence rates (31% versus 27%) was not significant. History of depression was a moderator of treatment. Those with a positive history had a better treatment response at 20 weeks when assigned to the less intensive telephone support therapy (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The superiority of CBT to 20 weeks suggests that continued emphasis on the development of cognitive and behavioral strategies for maintaining non-smoking during an extended treatment phase may help smokers to maintain abstinence in the longer term. At present, the minimum duration of therapy is unknown.     

Exploring perceptions of a rheumatoid arthritis‐specific smoking cessation programme

Aim

Smoking cessation is an important consideration in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of the present study was to determine which aspects of a novel three‐month smoking cessation intervention were most useful for people with RA, and to identify areas for improvement.

Method

Thirty‐eight current smokers with RA (19 intervention and 19 control) enrolled in a previous randomized controlled trial (RCT) of smoking cessation and two arthritis educators who had provided the intervention were interviewed. The data were analysed thematically using a combination of deductive and inductive approaches to identify themes.

Results

Intervention participants and the educators identified individualized support and advice as the two most important components of the smoking cessation intervention. The generic smoking cessation components and education about the links between smoking and RA were also identified as important. Nicotine replacement therapy was provided to all participants and was the most commonly reported facilitator of smoking cessation. People with RA who reported being ready to quit smoking had more success at smoking cessation. The educators were positive about ongoing provision of the smoking cessation intervention.

Conclusion

The novel RA‐specific smoking cessation intervention that had formed the basis of the previous RCT provided useful and varied options to assist quitting smoking in RA. Successful quitters were ready and motivated to quit smoking regardless of their randomization status, with nicotine replacement therapy an effective aid to quitting. Support offered by the educators was critical in the participants' perspective.     

Common predictors of smoking cessation in clinical practice

Although smoking cessation is clearly beneficial, many smokers respond poorly to smoking cessation efforts with rather disappointing overall success rate of long-term abstinence. The perceived lack of effectiveness of smoking cessation may well influence how physicians set their priorities with regard to an effective use of their consultation time. Negative beliefs and attitudes can be resolved by advancing the general understanding of the natural history of quitting, by making sensible use of smoking cessation services, and by being aware of the correct use of drugs for nicotine dependence when prescribed. In particular, a better understanding of predictors of success in smoking cessation can help physicians in identifying smokers who stand a fair chance of quitting. The purpose of the present article is to review those predictors of smoking cessation that can be of help in routine clinical consultation.     

Factors associated with long-term smoking relapse in those who succeeded in smoking cessation using regional smoking cessation programs

It is known that approximately 10% of successful quitters relapse annually. This study aimed to investigate the factors related to long-term smoking relapse in individuals who succeeded in maintaining smoking cessation for 6 months after attending a regional smoking cessation program.This study enrolled 943 individuals registered for the regional smoking cessation program at the Busan Smoking Cessation Center in 2018–2019 who maintained smoking cessation for 6 months. A survey was conducted using a smartphone link or through phone calls, and the data for 305 participants who finally completed the survey were analyzed. The questionnaire addressed individual, inter-individual, organizational, and community-level factors related to smoking relapse. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the factors associated with smoking relapse by period. The Cox proportional hazard regression model was used for the factors associated with smoking relapse for the entire period.The smoking relapse rate at the time of the survey was 25.4%. In the analysis of smoking relapse by period, relapse was associated with the belief that smoking relieves stress, the number of single-person households, and poor subjective health status. In the analysis of smoking relapse during the entire period, we observed a significant association with the belief that smoking relieves stress (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.52–4.61), single-person households (HR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.16–3.26), and high levels of emotional stress (HR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.04–2.85).Long-term follow-up is necessary to prevent smoking relapse in single-person households, individuals who believe that smoking relieves stress, and those experiencing high levels of subjective emotional stress. Interventional therapies for stress relief and awareness improvement in smokers need to be developed.     

Smoking among diabetes patients in Yogyakarta, Indonesia: cessation efforts are urgently needed

Objectives  To document the prevalence of tobacco use among male diabetes patients in a clinic based population of Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia; to examine patient's perceptions of smoking as a risk factor for diabetes complications; and to investigate whether patients had received cessation messages from their doctors.
Method  Twelve in-depth interviews and five focus groups ( n  = 21) with diabetic patients in 2004–2005, followed by a cross-sectional survey of 778 male diabetic patients in diabetes clinics in 2006–2007.
Results  65% of male diabetes patients smoked before being diagnosed, and 32% smoked in the last 30 days. Most patients incorrectly perceived low level smoking safe for diabetics (mean of 3.6 cigarettes). The median range of cigarettes smoked per day was in excess of this 'safe' amount (4–10 cigarettes). Most respondents did not associate smoking with diabetes and its complications. Only 35% of all patients recalled being asked whether they smoked by their doctors, and there were no differences between smokers and non-smokers. Quit messages received by patients were seen as general health advice and not diabetes specific.
Conclusions  Many diabetic patients continue to smoke despite the hazard of smoking on diabetes complications and mortality. Smoking cessation is not commonly encouraged by health-care providers in Indonesia, and is not a routine part of diabetes counselling despite the risk of smoking to those with diabetes. Project Quit Tobacco International is currently developing cessation services for patients with diabetes and encouraging medical and nursing schools to incorporate disease specific tobacco education in its curriculum and skill based classes in tobacco cessation counselling.     

Early predictors of smoking cessation after myocardial infarction

The determinants of long-term smoking cessation were evaluated in 80 patients who smoked cigarettes and survived a myocardial infarction. All patients underwent a program of rehabilitation and secondary prevention including in-hospital counseling and physician-guided reinforcing sessions at 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge. At 18 months of follow-up, 53 patients (66.3%) had quit smoking. Variables associated with smoking cessation were duration of hospital stay greater than or equal to 19 days (79 vs. 48%; p less than 0.005) and peak creatine phosphokinase (CPK) elevation greater than or equal to 500 U/l (76 vs. 54%; p less than 0.05). Males tended to quit in higher proportion than females (68 vs. 44%). Age, prior myocardial infarction, other cardiovascular risk factors, infarction location, Killip class at entry, and duration of stay in coronary care unit did not significantly affect the quitting rates. Logistic regression analysis singled out the duration of hospital stay as a significant predictor of smoking cessation (p less than 0.005). Early and intensive secondary prevention during the hospital stay is crucial in promoting sustained smoking cessation after myocardial infarction.     

Outcome criteria in smoking cessation trials: proposal for a common standard

Smoking cessation treatment is now integrated into many health-care systems and a major research effort is under way to improve current success rates. Until now results from randomized clinical trials have been reported in many different ways, leading to problems of interpretation. We propose six standard criteria comprising the 'Russell Standard' (RS). These criteria are applicable to trials of cessation aids where participants have a defined target quit date and there is face-to-face contact with researchers or clinic staff, as follows. (1) Follow-up for 6 months (RS6) or 12 months (RS12) from the target quit date or the end of a predefined 'grace period'; (2) self-report of smoking abstinence over the whole follow-up period allowing up to five cigarettes in total; (3) biochemical verification of abstinence at least at the 6-month or 12-month follow-up point; (4) use of an 'intention-to-treat' approach in which data from all randomized smokers are included in the analysis unless they have died or moved to an untraceable address (participants who are included in the analysis are counted as smokers if their smoking status at the final follow-up cannot be determined); (5) following-up 'protocol violators' and using their true smoking status in the analysis; and (6) collecting follow-up data blind to smokers' allocation to trial group. We believe that these criteria provide the best compromise between practicability and surrogacy for long-term cessation and will enable meaningful comparison between studies. There may be good reasons why other outcome criteria would also be reported, and studies that involve interventions with special groups or where there is no designated target quit date or face to face contact would need to adapt these criteria accordingly.     

Parents who quit smoking and their adult children's smoking cessation: a 20-year follow-up study

Aims   Extending our earlier findings from a longitudinal cohort study, this study examines parents' early and late smoking cessation as predictors of their young adult children's smoking cessation.
Design   Parents' early smoking cessation status was assessed when their children were aged 8 years; parents' late smoking cessation was assessed when their children were aged 17 years. Young adult children's smoking cessation, of at least 6 months duration, was assessed at age 28 years.
Setting   Forty Washington State school districts.
Participants and measurements   Participants were 991 at least weekly smokers at age 17 whose parents were ever regular smokers and who also reported their smoking status at age 28. Questionnaire data were gathered on parents and their children (49% female and 91% Caucasian) in a longitudinal cohort (84% retention).
Findings   Among children who smoked daily at age 17, parents' quitting early (i.e. by the time their children were aged 8) was associated with a 1.7 times higher odds of these children quitting by age 28 compared to those whose parents did not quit [odds ratio (OR) 1.70; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23, 2.36]. Results were similar among children who smoked weekly at age 17 (OR 1.91; 95% CI 1.41, 2.58). There was a similar, but non-significant, pattern of results among those whose parents quit late.
Conclusions   Supporting our earlier findings, results suggest that parents' early smoking cessation has a long-term influence on their adult children's smoking cessation. Parents who smoke should be encouraged to quit when their children are young.