title: A randomized controlled trial of a smoking cessation intervention conducted among prisoners.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of nortriptyline (NOR) added to a multi-component smoking cessation intervention, which included cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and provision of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing two study groups with blinded follow-up at 3, 6 and 12 months. Both groups received a multi-component smoking cessation intervention comprising two half-hour individual sessions of CBT and NRT with either active NOR or placebo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prisons in New South Wales (17) and Queensland (one), Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 425 male prisoners met inclusion criteria and were allocated to either treatment (n = 206) or control group (n = 219).
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary end-points at 3, 6 and 12 months were continuous abstinence, point prevalence abstinence and reporting a 50% reduction in smoking. Smoking status was confirmed by expired carbon monoxide, using a cut-point of ≤10 parts per million.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants' demographics and baseline tobacco use were similar in treatment and control groups. Based on an intention-to-treat analysis, continuous abstinence between the treatment and control groups was not significantly different at 3 months (23.8 versus 16.4%), 6 months (17.5 versus 12.3%) and 12 months (11.7 versus 11.9%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adding nortriptyline to a smoking cessation treatment package consisting of behavioural support and nicotine replacement therapy does not appear to improve long-term abstinence rates in male prisoners.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Richmond
authors.forename: Devon
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Indig
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wilhelm
authors.forename: Vicki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Archer
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wodak
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009661:Nortriptyline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology; D012907:Smoking / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D061485:Tobacco Use Cessation Devices; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D009661:Nortriptyline