Journal article
Sex Differences in Varenicline Efficacy for Smoking Cessation: A Meta-Analysis
Nicotine & tobacco research, v 18(5), pp 1002-1011
01 May 2016
PMID: 26446070
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Women have lower rates of quitting than men with both bupropion and nicotine replacement. It is unknown whether varenicline demonstrates differential efficacy for men and women. The purpose of this study was to conduct the first comprehensive meta-analysis of clinical trial data examining sex differences in the efficacy of varenicline for smoking cessation.
Searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsychINFO, 17 of 43 clinical trials of varenicline for smoking cessation published through December 31, 2014 were low-bias randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials. Data (n = 6710 smokers, 34% female, n = 16 studies, 96% of available data) was analyzed with Metafor program in R. Outcome endpoints were 7-day point-prevalence (PP) and continuous-abstinence (CA) at week 12 (end of treatment), week 24 (6-month follow-up), and week 52 (12-month follow-up).
Using placebo, women were less likely than men to quit (PP-12, CA-24; P < .05 for sex). Using varenicline, similar rates of abstinence for men and women were demonstrated for all six outcomes (eg, PP-12 abstinence rates were 53% in both women and men). Varenicline versus placebo outcomes demonstrated that varenicline was more effective for women for short and intermediate outcomes (PP-12, CA-12, CA-24; P < .05 sex × medication interaction). For end-of-treatment PP, varenicline was 46% more effective for women. For continuous abstinence, varenicline was 34% (CA-12) and 31% (CA-24) more effective for women.
Unlike other smoking cessation medications, varenicline demonstrated greater efficacy among women smokers for short and immediate-term outcomes and equal efficacy for 1-year outcomes. Varenicline may be particularly useful for reducing the sex disparity typically seen in rates of smoking cessation.
Varenicline is currently the most effective FDA-approved smoking cessation medication and this is the first demonstration that women compared with men have a preferred therapeutic response for a smoking cessation medication when considering short-term outcomes. Importantly, this is also the first demonstration that women have similar rates of quitting to men when considering longer-term, 1-year outcomes.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Sex Differences in Varenicline Efficacy for Smoking Cessation: A Meta-Analysis
- Creators
- Sherry A McKee - Yale UniversityPhilip H Smith - Yale UniversityMira Kaufman - Brown UniversityCarolyn M Mazure - Yale UniversityAndrea H Weinberger - Yale University
- Publication Details
- Nicotine & tobacco research, v 18(5), pp 1002-1011
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Grant note
- K12DA031050 / NIDA NIH HHS P50DA033945 / NIDA NIH HHS P50 DA033945 / NIDA NIH HHS
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000376350700072
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84964924328
- Other Identifier
- 991022030929904721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
- Substance Abuse