Varenicline is more effective in attenuating weight gain than nicotine patch 12 months after the end of smoking cessation therapy: an observational study in Japan.
BACKGROUND
Although both varenicline and nicotine patch have a beneficial effect in controlling postcessation weight gain, it is not well known whether there is a difference in the effect.


METHODS
We conducted a multi-institutional study on smoking cessation therapy (SCT) administered at 4 Japanese hospitals to compare the body weight change from the first session to 12 months after the end of SCT (at 60 weeks) between varenicline users (n = 307) and nicotine patch users (n = 45).


RESULTS
The mean weight change from baseline to 12 months after the end of SCT was +0.94 kg (SD: 3.59) in varenicline users and +2.78 kg (SD: 4.88) in nicotine patch users (p = .003, by t test). In multivariate linear regression analysis, varenicline users gained significantly less weight than nicotine patch users (coefficient: -1.787, 95% CI = -2.98 to -0.59) with adjustment for success of quit smoking, age, sex, presence of comorbidity, body mass index at baseline, Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, craving at the end of SCT, and nausea through the SCT.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicated that varenicline is more effective in attenuating weight gain than nicotine patch in smokers who received Japanese SCT.
Department of Nursing, National Hospital Organization Nagoya Medical Center, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan; Department of Nursing and Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan; amachi@kej.biglobe.ne.jp.
Chie
C
Taniguchi
Division of Epidemiology and Prevention, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan;
Hideo
H
Tanaka
Department of Nursing, National Hospital Organization Nagoya Medical Center, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan;
Noriko
N
Nakamura
Department of Respiratory Medicine and Medical Oncology, National Hospital Organization Nagoya Medical Center, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan;
Hideo
H
Saka
Division of Epidemiology and Prevention, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan;
Isao
I
Oze
Division of Epidemiology and Prevention, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan;
Hidemi
H
Ito
Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, National Hospital Organization Kinki-Chuo Chest Medical Center, Sakai, Osaka, Japan;
Kazunobu
K
Tachibana
Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, National Hospital Organization Kinki-Chuo Chest Medical Center, Sakai, Osaka, Japan;
Akihiro
A
Tokoro
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Social Insurance Chukyo Hospital, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan;
Yasuhiro
Y
Nozaki
Department of Nursing, Social Insurance Chukyo Hospital, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.
Nobuyo
N
Nakamichi
Department of Nursing and Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan;
Hisataka
H
Sakakibara
D044466:Asian People; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D061485:Tobacco Use Cessation Devices; D000068580:Varenicline; D015430:Weight Gain
D001552:Benzazepines; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D011810:Quinoxalines; D000068580:Varenicline