Varenicline as first aid to treat nicotine dependence in smokers with high prevalence of co-morbidities

摘要

Varenicline is a first line smoking cessation pharmacotherapy. Smokers with comorbidities are prevalent in our center. The aim of the study was to assess efficacy and safety of varenicline in current practice of a smoking cessation center treating smokers with high prevalence of concomitant disorders. 98 smokers with concurrent stable respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive and psychiatric disorders (study group) and 116 healthy smokers (control group) were treated with varenicline in a 12 weeks cure to quit smoking. Primary end point was carbon monoxide confirmed continuous abstinence rate in the study group at weeks 9-12. Secondly, varenicline safety, discontinuation profile and compliance to treatment were monitored. 41.8% smokers with comorbidities (25/52cardiovascular, 9/26 respiratory, 4/13 digestive, 3/7 psychiatric) and 40.5% healthy smokers successfully quit smoking. Withdrawal symptoms and adverse effects picture did not differ significantly between groups. Varenicline is an effective and highly compliant therapy for smoking cessation in smokers with comorbidities. Safety profile of varenicline is comparable in healthy smokers and smokers with stable comorbidities.