Comparative Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation Medications: A National Prospective Cohort From Taiwan.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Relative effectiveness of smoking cessation medications-varenicline, bupropion and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)-remains unclear among smokers in real-world settings. Evidence in females and smokers with light/moderate nicotine dependence is particularly insufficient. This study compared the effectiveness of varenicline, bupropion or NRT gum relative to NRT patch, in achieving abstinence among recent quitters. METHODS: In a national smoking cessation program in Taiwan (2012-2015), a cohort of 11,968 participants received varenicline (n = 5,052), bupropion (n = 823), NRT gum (n = 1944) or NRT patch (n = 4,149). The 7-day, 1-month or 6-month point-prevalence was calculated based on self-reported last smoking event via telephone interview after 6 months. Logistic regression modellings estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for achieving abstinence using different modalities (NRT patch as referent). Models included age, sex, education, marital status, geographic region, smoke-years, nicotine-dependence level, medical institution, number of clinic visits and medication use duration. Analyses were further stratified by sex and dependence severity. RESULTS: Participants were predominantly male (83%) with a mean age of 43.7±12.6 years. Varenicline users were more likely than NRT patch users to achieve abstinence, based on 7-day point-prevalence (OR = 1.30, CI: 1.19-1.44), 1-month point-prevalence (OR = 1.36, CI: 1.24-1.50) or 6-month point-prevalence (OR = 1.30, CI: 1.14-1.47). Compared with NRT patch, varenicline was associated with greater odds of being abstinent in women (OR = 1.29, CI: 1.01-1.65), men (OR = 1.31, CI: 1.18-1.46), those with light/moderate dependence (OR = 1.42, CI: 1.24-1.63) or smokers with severe dependence (OR = 1.19, CI: 1.04-1.37), based on 7-day point-prevalence. Differences in effectiveness were not observed between users of bupropion, NRT gum and NRT patch. CONCLUSIONS: In smoking cessation clinics in Taiwan, varenicline users reported higher abstinence rates than NRT patch users after 6 months. Women and smokers with light/moderate nicotine dependence may also benefit from varenicline in actual clinical practice.

Increased risk of aortic aneurysm (AA) in relation to the severity of psoriasis: A national population-based matched-cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation of systemic and vascular tissues besides the skin in psoriasis is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate whether or not patients with psoriasis have an increased risk of aortic aneurysm (AA). METHODS: This population-based cohort study identified 34,301 patients with psoriasis in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database during 2004 to 2006, who were matched for age and sex with 137,204 control subjects without psoriasis from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000. Each individual was individually followed up for 5 years to identify those who subsequently developed AA. RESULTS: After adjusting for medical history and medication use, patients with psoriasis were at increased overall risk of AA (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.80; 95% confidence interval 1.25-2.61). The risk for AA increased with the severity of psoriasis. The adjusted HRs were higher for male than female patients (adjusted HR 1.84 vs 1.56), and for patients younger than 50 years versus older patients (adjusted HR 2.81 vs 1.64). LIMITATIONS: There is a lack of information regarding patients' Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score, daily tobacco use, or alcohol consumption. CONCLUSION: Patients with psoriasis are predisposed to developing AA: this risk increases with psoriasis severity and is independent of established cardiovascular risk factors.

Risk of fractures in vitiligo patients treated with phototherapy-A retrospective population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Phototherapy might increase bone mineral density. However, it is unknown whether phototherapy can reduce the risk of fractures in patients with vitiligo. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of phototherapy on fracture risks in vitiligo patients aged 40 or older. METHODS: This population-based cohort study used the 2000-2010 Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) to identify 3863 patients newly diagnosed with vitiligo between 2003 and 2009 at age ≥40 years. Study subjects were classified into three cohorts: (1) frequent phototherapy; (2) infrequent phototherapy; and (3) no phototherapy. Patients were followed until the first hip or vertebral fracture or 31 December 2010. Data were analysed using Cox regression models and also stratified by age and gender. RESULTS: Frequent phototherapy decreased the fracture risks (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR)=0.32, p=0.009) in vitiligo patients. Stratification by age and gender confirmed the fracture prevention effect of frequent phototherapy in patients aged 40-64 years (aHR=0.14, p=0.016) and in female patients (aHR=0.31, p=0.024). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first evidence that frequent phototherapy can reduce the risk of fractures among middle-aged and among female vitiligo patients.