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Aim To evaluate the incremental efficacy of starting nicotine patch treatment prior to quitting compared to the current regimen of starting patch treatment on the target quit day. Design and measurements Meta-analysis of four eligible studies using pre-cessation patch treatment, located by database search and contacts with cessation researchers. The studies all compared starting treatment with nicotine patch prior to the target quit date to starting active treatment at the quit date, some in the context of concurrent mecamylamine treatment. The primary end-point for the analysis was continuous abstinence for at least 28 days assessed at 6 weeks following quit day; 6-month outcomes were also examined. Findings Compared to starting active patch treatment on quit day, pre-cessation treatment with nicotine patches was found to double the odds of quitting. This was true both at 6 weeks [pooled odds ratio (OR) = 1.96, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.31–2.93] and 6 months (pooled OR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.46–3.22) treatment outcomes. Mecamylamine co-treatment did not modify these effects. Conclusions Across the four studies analyzed, pre-cessation patch treatment was found to produce a robust increase in quit rates compared to current regimens starting patch at quit day. Pre-cessation patch use represents a promising innovation in smoking cessation therapy with potential beneficial implications for improved public health by further increasing quitting success.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Meta-analysis;nicotine patch;nicotine replacement therapy;pre-cessation treatment;smoking cessation;treatment efficacy
Research Division:	Health Sciences
Research Group:	Public health
Research Field:	Preventative health care
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Public health (excl. specific population health)
Objective Field:	Public health (excl. specific population health) not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Ferguson, SG (Professor Stuart Ferguson)
ID Code:	57261
Year Published:	2008
Web of Science® Times Cited:	75
Deposited By:	Pharmacy
Deposited On:	2009-07-01
Last Modified:	2011-04-20
Downloads:	1 View Download Statistics