title: Two-Year Therapeutic Effectiveness of Varenicline for Smoking Cessation in a Real World Setting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Varenicline is an effective smoking cessation therapy in clinical trials. However, its effectiveness might vary in a real world setting and its long term effectiveness (2-year) has not been reported yet.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective was ascertaining the effectiveness of varenicline in the treatment of tobacco consumption in Primary Care settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational, multicenter, retrospective study using medical records of smokers followed for 24 months. Sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidity, type of treatment (varenicline with or without group therapy), and smoking characteristics (Fageström and Richmond tests, starting age, number of cigarettes, cessation attempts, and initial CO-oximeter measurements) were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  773 smokers treated with varenicline (72.4%) or varenicline combined with group therapy (27.6%) were included. Mean age was 43.6 years [51.7% male (n = 400)]. Continuous abstinence rate at 24 months was 44.4%, with no significant gender or age differences. Median cessation time was 398 days (95%CI: 376-421). A clear association was detected between the probability of remaining abstinent at 24 months and participation in group therapy (OR: 1.877, 95%CI: 1.362-2.589), as well as treatment adherence (compliance >80%) (OR: 6.556, 95%CI: 5.870-7.242), but not with co-financing of treatment (observed in 77% of patients). For every day that varenicline was taken, abstinence increased by an average of 6.6 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This retrospective cohort study suggests that 2-year effectiveness of varenicline might be substantial in a real world setting. The abstinence rate was higher for those who also receive group therapy.
authors.affiliation: a Unidad de Conductas Adictivas de Alcoy , Alcoy , Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco Pastor
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Pascual
authors.affiliation: b Public Health Center , Alcoy , Spain.
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fontoba Ferrándiz
authors.affiliation: c General Hospital , Elda , Spain.
authors.forename: María Carmen
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Gil Sanchez
authors.affiliation: d Center for Health, Department of Health , Elda , Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ponce Lorenzo
authors.affiliation: d Center for Health, Department of Health , Elda , Spain.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Botella Estrella
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012907:Smoking / Q000628:therapy*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000068580:Varenicline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D000068580:Varenicline
keywords: Smoking cessation; effectiveness; group therapy; long term; real world; two-years; varenicline