Genetic variants in the serotonin transporter influence the efficacy of bupropion and nortriptyline in smoking cessation.

Aims: We investigated whether variants in the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) influence smoking cessation rates using antidepressant therapy (i.e. bupropion and nortriptyline).

The cost-effectiveness of antidepressants for smoking cessation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.

Objectives: In healthy smokers, antidepressants can double the odds of cessation. Because of its four times lower costs and comparable efficacy in healthy smokers, nortriptyline appears to be favourable compared to bupropion. We assessed which of both drugs was most effective and cost-effective in stopping smoking after 1 year compared with placebo among smokers at risk or with existing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The immunogenicity and safety of a nicotine vaccine in smokers and nonsmokers: results of a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 1/2 trial.

This randomized, placebo-controlled phase 1/2 trial evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of four doses of a nicotine vaccine in smokers and nonsmokers. Subjects were 21 smokers and 9 nonsmokers in good physical and mental health. They were aged 24-60 years, were recruited from the general public using newspaper advertisements, and were evaluated at University Hospital Maastricht.

Smoking cessation practices of Dutch general practitioners, cardiologists, and lung physicians.

Study Objectives: To assess and compare the smoking cessation practices and smoking behavior of Dutch general practitioners (GPs), cardiologists, and lung physicians.

Methods: We conducted questionnaire surveys among a random sample of 2000 Dutch GPs, all Dutch cardiologists (N=594), and all Dutch lung physicians (N=375).

Results: In total, 834 GPs (41.

Encouraging smokers to quit: the cost effectiveness of reimbursing the costs of smoking cessation treatment.

Background: Smoking cessation should be encouraged in order to increase life expectancy and reduce smoking-related healthcare costs. Results of a randomised trial suggested that reimbursing the costs of smoking cessation treatment (SCT) may lead to an increased use of SCT and an increased number of quitters versus no reimbursement.

Objective: To assess whether reimbursement for SCT is a cost-effective intervention (from the Dutch societal perspective), we calculated the incremental costs per quitter and extrapolated this outcome to incremental costs per QALY saved versus no reimbursement.

Chronic bronchitis, cigarette smoking, and the subsequent onset of depression and anxiety: results from a prospective population-based cohort study.

Objective: The authors used data from a prospective, population-based cohort study to examine: (a) whether the presence of chronic bronchitis predicts the subsequent onset of depression or anxiety, and (b) if the incidence of depressed or anxious cases was different for smokers compared with nonsmokers.

Materials And Methods: For studying the relation between chronic bronchitis and anxiety or depression, we used data from respectively 4468 and 4520 respondents.

Results: The number of incident anxious (19.

Risk of depression and anxiety in employees with chronic bronchitis: the modifying effect of cigarette smoking.

Objective: The present study evaluates whether smoking status modifies the association between chronic bronchitis and depression or anxiety in a population-based sample. Furthermore, we tested whether these associations are different in people without any respiratory complaints and those with asthma.

Methods: For this study, we used cross-sectional data form the Maastricht Cohort Study, a population-based cohort study among Dutch employees.

Psychological distress and depressed mood in employees with asthma, chronic bronchitis or emphysema: a population-based observational study on prevalence and the relationship with smoking cigarettes.

Objectives: To evaluate if employees with asthma, chronic bronchitis or emphysema can be characterized as a population of patients with a high prevalence of psychological distress and/or depressed mood. Above all, we wanted to examine the influence of smoking status on the relationship between chronic disease and psychological distress/depressed mood.

Methods: A postal survey was conducted among 12,103 employees participating in the Maastricht Cohort Study.

Benefits and risks of pharmacological smoking cessation therapies in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Smoking cessation is the most effective way to reduce the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or to reduce its progression. However, little is known about the efficacy and safety of different pharmacological smoking cessation therapies used for the treatment of patients with COPD who smoke. The aim of this review was to evaluate the benefits and risks of pharmacological smoking cessation therapies in COPD.