Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of nicotine chewing-gum.

A meta-analysis was made of fourteen randomised controlled trials that evaluated the efficacy of nicotine chewing-gum in stopping patients smoking. The combined success rates in specialised cessation clinics are significantly higher with nicotine gum (27%) than with placebo gum (18%) at 6 months (n = 734), and 23% and 13% at 12 months, respectively. In contrast, success rates in general medical practices are similar with nicotine gum (11.4%) and with placebo gum (11.7%) at 6 months (n = 1022). However, in general practices, the success rates are 17% for nicotine gum and 13% for the no gum control at 4-6 months, and 9% and 5% at 12 months, a significant difference between the treatments at each time (n = 2238). The data suggest that proper use of nicotine gum in specialised clinics will increase the rate of stopping patients smoking. The use of the gum in general medical practices is questionable.