Newsgroups: sci.med,sci.med.nursing,sci.med.pharmacy
From: [jwat c h] at [world.std.com] (Journal Watch)
Subject: Journal Watch Summaries for July 5, 1994
Date: Wed, 6 Jul 1994 15:43:11 GMT


  This is Journal Watch, a medical-literature
survey produced by the Massachusetts Medical
Society.
  Twice a week, our physician-editors summarize
important new clinical research from a group
of 25 journals. Twice a month, the summaries
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  Contents copyright 1994, Mass. Medical Society.



Journal Watch Summaries for July 5, 1994


META-ANALYSIS OF NICOTINE PATCH EFFECTIVENESS.
  JAMA 1994 Jun 22/29; 271:1940-7.


META-ANALYSIS OF NICOTINE PATCH EFFECTIVENESS.   
As public concern about the hazards of smoking
intensifies, the plight of the smoker trying to quit
continues to be difficult. This meta-analysis provides
strong evidence that the nicotine patch helps smokers quit.
   Researchers pooled data from 17 double-blind, placebo-
controlled studies lasting four weeks or longer (5098
patients). Overall smoking abstinence rates were 27 percent
for patients who used the patch versus 13 percent for
placebo patients at the end of treatment, and 22 percent
versus 9 percent after six months. The 16 and 24 hour
patches had similar efficacy and treatment extended beyond
eight weeks did not appear to improve efficacy. Combining
the patch with intensive behavioral counseling had a
positive "dose-response" effect on quit rates; patients who
attended more frequent or longer meetings had higher
abstinence rates.
  Comment: This analysis supports the use of the nicotine
patch as an aid to smoking cessation. It also strengthens
the argument that insurance payers should provide
reimbursement for this therapy. --TH Lee.
  Citation: Fiore MC; et al. The effectiveness of the nicotine
patch for smoking cessation: a meta-analysis. JAMA 1994 Jun 22/29;
271:1940-7.