Abstract
In Japan, nicotine dependence care service has been started under public health insurance coverage since 2006. Varenicline tartrate (Champix®), an oral agent for smoking cessation therapy, has been prescribed under health insurance coverage since 2008.
From October 2009 to March 2013, we collected 130 smokers (male 97, female 33) who received smoking cessation treatment with varenicline at our clinic. We classified these patients into two groups (successful group and failed group), and analyzed the difference of five variables (age, gender, Brinkman index, Tobacco Dependence Screener score and exhaled carbon monoxide level at first visit) between two groups.
Of 130 patients who received treatment, 93 patients (71.5%) were classified into successful group. A significant difference was observed only in Brinkman index between two groups (p=0.037). Brinkman index of successful group was higher than failed group (619 vs 491).
Of 93 successful patients, 69 patients (74.2%) completed five visits to outpatient clinic during 12 weeks’ therapy program. Of 37 failed patients, only 5 patients (13.5%) completed five visits.
Of 93 successful patients, 24 patients (25.8%) did not complete five visits to outpatient clinic. Continuous abstinence rate of 69 full-visit patients after 2 years from therapy program was 51.1%. In contrast, continuous abstinence rate of 24 incomplete-visit patients was only 31.7%.
Successful smoking cessation at the end of therapy program was associated with the achievement of full five visits to outpatient clinic. Continuous abstinence after smoking cessation therapy was also associated with the achievement of full visits to clinic during the program.
