Effectiveness of pharmacotherapy and behavioral interventions for smoking cessation in actual clinical practice.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the effectiveness of behavioral interventions (brief counseling, nonspecific psychological support in groups - NSGS and cognitive behavioral group therapy - CBGT) in combination with bupropion SR for smoking cessation in the field, through a smoking cessation clinic.


METHODS
Two-hundred-and-five smokers were enrolled in a 19-week course during 2007/ 2008, and were randomly assigned to: bupropion SR combined with brief counseling (group A), bupropion SR combined with NSGS (group B), bupropion SR combined with CBGT (group C), or CBGT as the only approach (group D).


RESULTS
Continuous abstinence rates at the end of therapy were 53.2% for group A, 62.9% for group B, 50.0% for group C, and 22.2% (p < 0.05) for group D. Sustained abstinence rates in 12 months were 29.6%, 28.1%, 34.3% and 19.4% (p > 0.05), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Bupropion SR is an effective aid for smoking cessation in clinical practice. NSGT increased the chances for success at the end of therapy when combined with bupropion SR, while CBGT as monotherapy was less effective compared with the approaches including pharmacotherapy. It is suggested that smoking cessation interventions in real-life healthcare settings should be implemented through comprehensive programs using pharmacotherapy where applicable, combined with NSGT, and integrated by specialized healthcare professionals.
Rovina
Nikoletta
N
Smoking Cessation Clinic, Pulmonary and Critical Care Department, Evgenidion Hospital, Athens, Greece. nikrovina@med.uoa.gr
Nikoloutsou
Ioanna
I
Katsani
Georgia
G
Dima
Efrossini
E
Fransis
Konstantinos
K
Roussos
Charis
C
Gratziou
Christina
C
D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D016642:Bupropion / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D037001:Directive Counseling / Q000379:methods; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods; D012008:Recurrence; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D016642:Bupropion