Effectiveness of Nicotine Replacement Therapy vs Bupropion in Smoking Cessation
Author Information
Author(s): Andy McEwen, Robert West
Primary Institution: University College London
Hypothesis
Do implementation issues influence the effectiveness of medications like nicotine replacement therapy and bupropion in UK Stop Smoking Services?
Conclusion
The study found that nicotine replacement therapy was more effective than bupropion in achieving short-term abstinence from smoking.
Supporting Evidence
- Clients using nicotine replacement therapy had a 42% abstinence rate compared to 34% for those using bupropion.
- Clients found it easier to obtain nicotine replacement therapy than bupropion, which may have affected their quit success.
- More dependent smokers were less likely to achieve abstinence.
Takeaway
This study shows that it's easier for people to get nicotine replacement therapy than bupropion, which might help them quit smoking better.
Methodology
Data were collected from clients setting a quit date at two NHS Stop Smoking Services in London, comparing short-term abstinence rates between those using NRT and bupropion.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to differences in how clients accessed medications and the influence of media reports on medication perception.
Limitations
The study relies on routine clinical data, which may have missing values and does not account for long-term abstinence.
Participant Demographics
Clients were diverse, with a mean age of 45, 59% female, and 85% white.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.003
Confidence Interval
1.08 – 1.83
Statistical Significance
p = .003
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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