title: Efficacy of fresh lime for smoking cessation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the efficacy of fresh lime as a smoking cessation aid compared with nicotine gum.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, controlled trial was conducted between March 2009 and September 2009. Only regular smokers aged 18 or older who were willing to quit were randomized to receive either fresh lime (n = 47) or nicotine gum (n = 53). Smokers were excluded if they were using other smoking cessation aids, allergic to citrus, or had dental problems. Exhaled carbon monoxide (CO)-confirmed continuous abstinence rate (CAR) during week 9-12 was measured as the primary outcomes. To grade the severity of craving, a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS) was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in CO-confirmed CAR between the fresh lime group and the nicotine gum group during weeks 9-12 (61.7% vs. 66.0%; p = 0.65), although 7-day point prevalence abstinence at week 4 of the fresh lime users was statistically significant lower than those using nicotine gum (38.3% vs. 58.5%; p = 0.04). Cravings did not differ significantly between the groups, although fresh lime users tend to report more cravings intensity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fresh lime can be used effectively as a smoking cessation aid, although not as good as nicotine gum in reducing cravings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand. suthat109@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Suthat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rungruanghiranya
authors.forename: Chatchai
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ekpanyaskul
authors.forename: Chanin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sakulisariyaporn
authors.forename: Prapada
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Watcharanat
authors.forename: Kunyanit
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Akkalakulawas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002638:Chewing Gum; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D032082:Citrus aurantiifolia; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D061485:Tobacco Use Cessation Devices; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002638:Chewing Gum