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Randomized trial of the effectiveness of combined behavioral/pharmacological smoking cessation treatment in Syrian primary care clinics
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Randomized trial of the effectiveness of combined behavioral/pharmacological smoking cessation treatment in Syrian primary care clinics

Kenneth D Ward, Taghrid Asfar, Radwan Al Ali, Samer Rastam, Mark W Vander Weg, Thomas Eissenberg and Wasim Maziak
Addiction (Abingdon, England), Vol.108(2), pp.394-403
02/2013
DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2012.04048.x
PMCID: PMC7942391
PMID: 22882805

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Abstract

Effectiveness of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for smoking cessation has not been evaluated in low income countries, such as Syria, where it is expensive and not widely available. We evaluated whether nicotine patch boosts smoking cessation rates when used in conjunction with behavioral support in primary care clinics in Aleppo, Syria. Two arm, parallel group, randomized, placebo controlled, double-blinded multi-site trial. Four primary care clinics in Aleppo, Syria.  Two hundred and sixty-nine adult primary care patients received behavioral cessation counseling from a trained primary care physician and were randomized to receive six weeks of treatment with nicotine versus placebo patch. Primary end-points were prolonged abstinence (no smoking after a 2-week grace period) at end of treatment, and 6 and 12 months post-quit day, assessed by self-report and exhaled carbon monoxide levels of <10 p.p.m. Treatment adherence was excellent and nicotine patch produced expected reductions in urges to smoke and withdrawal symptoms, but no treatment effect was observed. The proportion of patients in the nicotine and placebo groups with prolonged abstinence was 21.6% and 20.0%, respectively, at end of treatment, 13.4% and 14.1% at 6 months, and 12.7% and 11.9% at 12 months.  Nicotine patches may not be effective in helping smokers in low-income countries to stop when given as an adjunct to behavioural support.
 Nicotine - administration & dosage Double-Blind Method Tobacco Use Cessation Devices Humans Middle Aged Self Report Male Treatment Outcome Administration, Cutaneous Smoking Cessation - methods Smoking Prevention Syria Behavior, Addictive - prevention & control Young Adult Adolescent Counseling Ambulatory Care Facilities Adult Female Aged Carbon Monoxide - analysis Primary Health Care Program Evaluation

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