Publications by authors named "David Abrams"
Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of combination nicotine replacement therapy (c-NRT) for smoking cessation among people with HIV (PWH) in South Africa.
Design: We conducted an open label, individually randomized clinical trial.
Methods: Using a two-armed approach, PWH who smoke were randomized to receive either 1) intensive anti-smoking behavioral counseling (BC) or 2) intensive anti-smoking BC plus c-NRT (nicotine patches augmented by nicotine gum).
Introduction: This study examined trajectories of tobacco dependence (TD) in relationship to changes in tobacco product use, and explored the effects of product-specific adding, switching, or discontinued use on dependence over time.
Aims And Methods: Data were analyzed from the first three waves from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, a nationally representative, longitudinal study of adults and youth in the United States. Data included 9556 wave 1 (2013-2014) adult current established tobacco users aged 18 or older who completed all three interviews and had established use at ≥2 assessments.
Background: Prior work established a measure of tobacco dependence (TD) among adults that can be used to compare TD across different tobacco products. We extend this approach to develop a common, cross-product metric for TD among youth.
Methods: One thousand one hundred and forty-eight youth aged 12-17 who used a tobacco product in the past 30 days were identified from 13 651 youth respondents in Wave 1 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study.
The nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR) is associated with race/ethnicity but has not been evaluated among smokers in the African region. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a large randomized, controlled trial for smoking cessation among people with HIV (PWH) in South Africa. Urine samples were analyzed for the NMR and evaluated as a binary variable using a cutoff value of the fourth quartile to determine the fastest metabolizers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Lung cancer mortality is reduced via low-dose computed tomography screening and treatment of early-stage disease. Evidence-based smoking cessation treatment in the lung screening setting can further reduce mortality. We report the results of a cessation trial from the National Cancer Institute's Smoking Cessation at Lung Examination collaboration.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: This study examined trajectories of tobacco dependence (TD) in relation to changes in tobacco product use and explored the effects of product-specific adding, switching, or discontinued use on dependence over time.
Aims And Methods: Data were analyzed from the first three waves of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, a nationally representative, longitudinal study of adults and youth in the United States. Data included 9556 Wave 1 (2013/2014) adult current established tobacco users who completed all three interviews and had established use at ≥2 assessments.
Purpose: Licaminlimab is a new anti-TNFα antibody fragment for topical ocular application. This phase II study assessed the tolerability, treatment effect, and pharmacokinetics of licaminlimab in acute anterior uveitis (AAU).
Methods: In this multicenter, randomized, parallel-group, double-masked study, 43 adult patients with non-infectious AAU and Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature (SUN) anterior chamber (AC) cell score of 2+ or 3+ were randomized (3:1 ratio) to licaminlimab (60 mg/mL, 8 drops/day for 15 days, 4 drops/day for 7 days, then matching vehicle for 7 days) or dexamethasone eye drops (8 drops/day for 15 days, tapering to 1 drop/day over 14 days).
Introduction: Flavored non-cigarette tobacco product use is widespread in the U.S. The availability of flavor options could be playing a role in recent increases in use, especially for non-cigarette tobacco products, among youth and young adults.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: For patients at high risk for lung cancer, screening using low-dose computed tomography (lung cancer screening [LCS]) is recommended. The purpose of this study was to examine whether screening may serve as a teachable moment for smoking-related outcomes.
Methods: In a smoking-cessation trial, participants (N = 843) completed 2 phone interviews before randomization: before LCS (T0) and after LCS (T1).
Background: There is mixed evidence regarding whether undergoing computed tomography lung cancer screening (LCS) can serve as a "teachable moment" that impacts smoking behavior and attitudes. The study aim was to assess whether the standard procedures of undergoing LCS and receiving free and low-cost evidence-based cessation resources impacted short-term smoking-related outcomes.
Methods: Participants were smokers (N=87) who were registered to undergo lung screening and were enrolled in a cessation intervention trial.
Significance: Although it is a requirement that tobacco treatment is offered to cigarette smokers undergoing low-dose computed tomographic lung cancer screening (LCS), not all smokers engage in treatment. To understand the barriers to tobacco treatment in this setting, we evaluated predictors of attrition in a smoking cessation trial among individuals undergoing LCS.
Methods: Prior to LCS, 926 participants, 50-80 years old, completed the baseline (T0) phone assessment, including demographic, clinical, tobacco, and psychological characteristics.
Data from 25 large U.S. cities is assembled to estimate the impact of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic on crime.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study investigates the impact of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), like e-cigarettes, on cigarette smoking behavior among young adults in the US, especially since this age group is pivotal for tobacco use initiation.
- It uses data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study from 2013-2016, analyzing changes in smoking habits over a year in a cohort of young adult smokers who had not previously used ENDS.
- The primary focus is to determine how different frequencies of ENDS use correlate with changes in cigarette smoking frequency, assessing potential increased or decreased smoking risks among the participants after one year.
Introduction: This study examined in youth (12-17 years), young adults (18-24 years), and adults (25+ years): (1) the prevalence of the first menthol cigarette and menthol/mint cigar use among new tobacco users; (2) association between the first menthol/mint use, subsequent tobacco use, and nicotine dependence ~1 year later compared with the first non-menthol/mint use.
Aims And Methods: Longitudinal analysis of data from Waves 1 to 4 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study (2013-2017; 10 086 youth and 21 281 adults). Main outcome measures were past 12-month and past 30-day cigarette and cigar use, and nicotine dependence.
Introduction: Understanding the population impact of e-cigarettes requires determining their effect on cigarette smoking cessation.
Methods: Using the US Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health cohort, we examined smoking cessation among adult current cigarette smokers at Wave 1 with follow-up data at Waves 2 and 3 (n = 9724).
Results: By Wave 3 (2015/2016), 17.
Background: More smokers report using e-cigarettes to help them quit than FDA-approved pharmacotherapy.
Objective: To assess the association of e-cigarettes with future abstinence from cigarette and tobacco use.
Design: Cohort study of US sample, with annual follow-up.
Background: Most hookah use studies have not included racial and ethnic minorities which limits our understanding of its use among these growing populations. This study aimed to investigate the individual characteristics of hookah use patterns and associated risk behaviors among an ethnically diverse sample of college students.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 2460 students (aged 18-25) was conducted in 2015, and data was analyzed in 2017.
Introduction: Various approaches have been used to estimate the population health impact of introducing a Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP).
Aims And Methods: We aimed to compare and contrast aspects of models considering effects on mortality that were known to experts attending a meeting on models in 2018.
Results: Thirteen models are described, some focussing on e-cigarettes, others more general.
Introduction: This study examined the association between the introduction of an e-cigarette and subsequent change in cigarette smoking among smokers who were not immediately interested in quitting.
Aims And Methods: The Moment Study was a 21-day intensive longitudinal study with an online follow-up survey at 30 days. After observing baseline cigarette smoking for 1 week, participants received 10 cigalike e-cigarettes on study days 6 and 13.
Introduction: According to the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS), youth e-cigarette use (vaping) rose between 2017 and 2018. Frequency of vaping and concurrent past 30-day (p30d) use of e-cigarettes and tobacco products have not been reported.
Methods: We analyzed the 2018 NYTS (N = 20 189) for vaping among all students (middle and high school; 6-12th grades; 9-19 years old) by frequency of vaping, exclusive vaping, p30d poly-product use (vaping and use of one or more tobacco product), and any past tobacco product use.