Awareness and use of smoking cessation treatments among diabetic patients.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate awareness of pharmacotherapeutic aids to smoking cessation in diabetic cigarette smokers.


METHODS
A structured questionnaire-based interview was held by a research nurse individually with consecutively attending cigarette smokers.


RESULTS
Of 597 diabetic patients attending a routine clinic, 100 (17%) were current cigarette smokers. Mean (+/-sd) age was 58+/-11 years, 58% were male, and 96% Type 2 diabetic patients. Mean daily cigarette consumption was 16/day, for a mean duration of 35 years. There were 34% who had never heard of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and of those who had, only 49% considered it safe with diabetes. Bupropion (Zyban) was unknown to 46%, and of those who knew of it, 39% thought it unsafe in diabetic patients. Only 31% of the group had been previously offered NRT, and 14% bupropion. The NHS Quitline was known of by 84%, but only 8% had used it.


CONCLUSIONS
Cigarette smokers with diabetes have poor uptake, awareness and knowledge of NRT and bupropion as aids to smoking cessation. They comprise a high-risk group, for large and small vessel disease, and these findings are therefore of concern. More active education and support for these patients by medical and nursing staff is needed.
Gill
G V
GV
Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, UK. g.gill@liv.ac.uk
Morgan
C
C
MacFarlane
I A
IA
D000368:Aged; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016642:Bupropion / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D016642:Bupropion; D009538:Nicotine