Changes in health-related quality of life with smoking cessation treatment.
BACKGROUND
Cigarette smoking causes reduced health-related quality of life (QoL) and smoking abstinence improves health-related QoL. We assessed the effects of treatment for tobacco dependence on the health-related QoL in a 52-week randomized controlled trial of varenicline and bupropion sustained release (SR).


METHODS
Subjects who smoked ≥10 cigarettes per day for the past year were randomly assigned to receive varenicline 1 mg twice daily (n = 696), bupropion SR 150 mg twice daily (n = 671) or placebo (n = 685) for 12 weeks and followed post-therapy for an additional 40 weeks. Health-related QoL was assessed using the Smoking Cessation Quality of Life questionnaire at baseline and Weeks 12, 24 and 52.


RESULTS
Health transition (perceived health compared with baseline) and self-control were both significantly improved among subjects receiving varenicline and bupropion SR compared with placebo at Weeks 12, 24 and 52. Similarly, varenicline-treated subjects had significantly improved health transition and self-control compared with subjects who received bupropion SR at Weeks 12 and 24, and at Week 52 for health transition. A significant positive association existed between length of continuous abstinence and improved health transition, vitality, self-control, anxiety and overall mental profile. In most instances both a direct and an indirect effect (through continuous smoking abstinence) of each active treatment (vs. placebo) contributed to improved self-control and health transition.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with varenicline and bupropion SR for smoking cessation resulted in improved self-control and health transition that was mediated in large part by continuous smoking abstinence.
Hays
J Taylor
JT
Mayo Clinic, Mayo Nicotine Dependence Center, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. hays.taylor@mayo.edu
Croghan
Ivana T
IT
Baker
Christine L
CL
Cappelleri
Joseph C
JC
Bushmakin
Andrew G
AG
D000328:Adult; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016642:Bupropion / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000068580:Varenicline
D001552:Benzazepines; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D011810:Quinoxalines; D016642:Bupropion; D000068580:Varenicline