UCL Discovery
UCL home » Library Services » Electronic resources » UCL Discovery

Effectiveness of varenicline versus nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation with minimal professional support: evidence from an English population study

Kotz, D; Brown, J; West, R; (2014) Effectiveness of varenicline versus nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation with minimal professional support: evidence from an English population study. Psychopharmacology , 231 (1) 37 - 42. 10.1007/s00213-013-3202-x. Green open access

[thumbnail of Brown_Kotz 2014 NRT v Varen BMC PH.pdf]
Preview
Text
Brown_Kotz 2014 NRT v Varen BMC PH.pdf

Download (410kB) | Preview

Abstract

Rationale: Limited evidence from randomised controlled trials suggests that varenicline might be more effective than nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in achieving abstinence from smoking. The comparative effectiveness of varenicline when prescribed under routine circumstances and in the general population has not been tested. / Objectives: To compare the abstinence rates of smokers trying to stop having used varenicline vs. NRT on prescription (Rx) when provided with minimal professional support in the general population while adjusting for key potential confounders. / Methods: A large survey of a representative sample of the English population. Participants were 1,579 adults who smoked within the previous 12 months and made at least one quit attempt with varenicline or NRT Rx in their most recent quit attempt. The main outcome measure was self-reported abstinence up to the time of the survey, adjusted for key potential confounders including urges to smoke. A sensitivity analysis was conducted in subsamples in which the quit attempt started up to 6 months or more than 6 months ago. / Results: The adjusted odds of abstinence in users of varenicline were 1.76 (95 % CI = 1.22–2.53) times higher compared with users of NRT Rx. However, there was no detectable difference in the subsample of smokers who started their quit attempt more than 6 months ago (adjusted OR = 1.03, 95 %CI = 0.54–1.96). / Conclusions: Varenicline use with minimal professional support in the general population of smokers appears more effective than NRT Rx in achieving short-term abstinence. However, this effect may disappear in the long-term. Research is needed to confirm this and establish what may underlie it.

Type: Article
Title: Effectiveness of varenicline versus nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation with minimal professional support: evidence from an English population study
Location: Germany
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1007/s00213-013-3202-x
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00213-013-3202-x
Language: English
Additional information: The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00213-013-3202-x.
Keywords: Adult, Aged, Benzazepines, Cross-Sectional Studies, Data Collection, Data Interpretation, Statistical, England, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Nicotine, Nicotinic Agonists, Population, Prescription Drugs, Quinoxalines, Smoking, Smoking Cessation, Treatment Outcome
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health > Behavioural Science and Health
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1404802
Downloads since deposit
220Downloads
Download activity - last month
Download activity - last 12 months
Downloads by country - last 12 months

Archive Staff Only

View Item View Item