Article Text
PDF
Statistics from Altmetric.com
Q What is the effectiveness of different preparations of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in achieving long term smoking cessation?
METHODS
Data sources:
Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group Specialized Trial Register, which is based on searches of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Issue 4, 2003), Medline, EMBASE/Excerpta Medica, PsycLIT/PsycINFO, and Science Citation Index.
Study selection and assessment:
randomised controlled trials (RCTs) ⩾6 months in duration that compared NRT (including gum, transdermal patch, intranasal spray, and inhaled and oral preparations) with placebo or no treatment, or compared different doses of NRT, and assessed smoking cessation. Methodological quality of individual trials was assessed for randomisation method, outcome assessment, and bias control.
Outcomes:
smoking cessation (abstinence from smoking for ⩾6 mo).
MAIN RESULTS
123 RCTs met the selection criteria; 103 compared NRT with placebo or no treatment, and 95 had ⩾12 months of follow up. All 5 preparations of NRT were better than placebo or no treatment in achieving smoking cessation at 6–12 months (table⇓). In 7 RCTs that compared combinations of NRT with a single preparation, a modest increase in cessation was seen with the more intensive regimen (odds ratio [OR] 1.42, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.76). In 4 RCTs that compared 4 mg with 2 mg of nicotine gum, the cessation rate was greater with 4 mg in highly dependent smokers (OR 2.20, CI 1.50 to 3.25); no difference was seen in low dependence smokers. In 6 RCTs, a small benefit was seen with a nicotine patch at higher doses (42/44 mg) than lower doses (21/22 mg) (OR 1.21, CI 1.03 to 1.42).
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) v placebo or no treatment (control) for smoking cessation at 6–12 months*
CONCLUSION
Any of 5 different preparations of nicotine replacement therapy are better than placebo or no treatment for achieving smoking cessation at 6–12 months.
Commentary
The prevalence of smoking has remained stable over the past decade compared with dramatic declines in the 1980s.1 In fact, during the 1990s, 60–70% of smokers reported not making an attempt to stop smoking in the previous year.2
Appropriate use of NRT helps smokers succeed in quitting and reduces smoking prevalence. The comprehensive review by Silagy et al extends meta-analyses reported by Fiore et al,3 with additional trials of nicotine gum, patch, and inhaler, as well as recent tablet studies. ORs are similar to those of the review by Fiore et al. Silagy et al acknowledge that a publication bias might exist. Including all unpublished negative trials would decrease the effects shown.
These findings have broad applicability to nurses in primary care, acute care, rehabilitation, obstetric, and paediatric settings. In particular, it is essential to convey a meaningful message to smokers that any of 5 forms of NRT improve success by 1.5 to ⩾2 times, 8 weeks of therapy is as effective as longer treatment, 4 mg of nicotine gum is more effective than 2 mg of gum for dependent smokers, and tapering NRT is no better than abrupt NRT withdrawal. As noted in Reducing tobacco use, the lack of progress in tobacco control is not related to a lack of knowledge about what to do, but more to a failure to implement proven strategies.4 NRT is a critical component in comprehensive tobacco control efforts.
Footnotes
For correspondence: Mrs L Stead, Department of Primary Health Care, Institute of Health Sciences, Oxford, UK. Lindsay.steaddphpc.ox.ac.uk
Sources of funding: NHS Research and Development National Cancer Programme, UK and NHS Anglia and Oxford Region Research and Development Programme, UK.