Evaluation of the First Year Results of Smoking Cessation Therapy with Varenicline or Bupropion in Outpatient Clinic

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the one year efficacy of varenicline and bupropion treatment in patients admitted to smoking cessation clinic and started medical treatment. Methods: A total of 681 individuals who admitted to Smoking Cessation Outpatient Clinic in Family Medicine Department of Inonu University School of Medicine between January 2011 and May 2012, and who have been begun medical treatment. The patients invited for follow up controls on the 15th day and in the first, second, 3rd , 6 th and 12th months after the medical treatment was started after the first interview. The patients were questioned for whether they were going on using the medications, for any side effects and their smoking cessation status during each visit. Results: A total of 681 subjects were enrolled in the study. In the first interview, a through physical examination was performed, routine laboratory tests were performed and then the patients were informed about smoking cessation methods by physicians who have received tobacco cessation training. In the Bupropion group 65.6% of the men (n=151) and 65% of the women (n=91) had quit smoking in the 15th day evaluation. In the follow-up at the end of the first month 75.6% of the men (n=174) and 72.1% of the women (n=101), and at the end of 12th month 64.7% of the men (n=149) and 72.8% of the women (n=102) had quit smoking. In the Vareniklin group 191 patients (61.4%) were male and 120 patients (38.6%) were female. In the 15th day evaluation 70.1% of the men (n=134) and 59.1% of the women (n=71) had quit smoking. In the follow up, at the end of the first month 74.8% of the men (n=143) and 64.1% of the women (n=77), and at the end of 12th month 63.3% of the men (n=121) and 53.3% of the women (n=64) had quit smoking. Conclusion: Given that smoking cessation process is a process of intense nicotine withdrawal symptoms, interviews should be planned as frequently as possible during the first 3 months. Continuous bio-psycho-social follow-up, which is also one of the basic characteristics of family medicine, will be an important part of success in smoking cessation.