title: Adherence to nicotine replacement patch therapy in cardiovascular patients.
abstract: Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is the most frequently used pharmacological intervention for smoking cessation. Research on the effect of NRT showed serious nonadherence among users. We investigated adherence to NRT in cardiovascular patients. A number of 174 outpatients (N = 174), who smoked > 5 cigarettes a day, received free patches and intensive instructions from nurses. Questionnaires were sent to patients assessing patient characteristics, adherence to a 7-8 weeks time frame and appliance instructions, side effects/withdrawal symptoms, and reasons for nonadherence. Only 38% of the patients was adherent to the time frame. Appliance instructions were followed in 76-96% of the cases, except for smoking; 50% continued to smoke during NRT. In conclusion, despite considerable attention to appliance instructions, access to free patches and additional behavioral support, adherence to NRT in these patients is rather low.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Louise C W
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Wiggers
authors.forename: Ellen M A
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Smets
authors.forename: Frans J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Oort
authors.forename: Marja N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Storm-Versloot
authors.forename: Hester
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vermeulen
authors.forename: Lucas B M
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: van Loenen
authors.forename: Ron J G
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Hanneke C J M
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: de Haes
authors.forename: Dink A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Legemate
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005731:Ganglionic Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012907:Smoking / Q000628:therapy*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods; D000074606:Smoking Prevention
chemical_list: D005731:Ganglionic Stimulants; D009538:Nicotine