Ten-year survival outcome of the nicotine transdermal patch with cognitive behavioural therapy.

OBJECTIVE

To follow-up abstainers from the end of their initial treatment over seven points to 10 years.

METHODS

In the original study there were 305 smokers who were recruited in a double-blind randomised controlled trial. Those subjects who had remained continuously abstinent to seven years (n=20) were followed up to ascertain continuous smoking prevalence to 10 years. Main outcome measure was continuous abstinence.

RESULTS

At 10 years, the active nicotine patch group showed significantly higher continuous abstinence rates that were double those of the placebo group (7.9% vs. 2.6%, respectively). The high rate of relapse declined after six months.

CONCLUSIONS

The nicotine patch leads to superior continuous abstinence over 10 years when compared with placebo. PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLICATIONS: This is the longest follow-up study of continuous smoking abstinence after cognitive behaviour treatment combined with the nicotine patch.