Although clinical trials of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) have consistently demonstrated higher rates of smoking cessation, the effectiveness of NRT may be lower in real-world settings, especially in the absence of behavioral support.\u00a0 Accordingly, there is a need for randomized clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of NRT alone.\u00a0 Cunningham et al conducted a randomized trial on adult smokers across Canada testing the impact of mailing nicotine patches to smokers without behavioral support on quit rates.\u00a0 A total of 500 adults smoking more than 10 cigarettes daily were randomized to the experimental arm (mailed a 5-week supply of nicotine patches) or control arm (no nicotine patches mailed).\u00a0 The primary outcome was self-reported abstinence from smoking at 6 months.\u00a0 Self-reported nicotine abstinence rates were higher in the experimental arm (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.44-4.89, p=0.002).\u00a0 Of those who claimed abstinence, biochemical validation via saliva analysis for cotinine was available in 50.9%.\u00a0 Biochemically validated abstinence at 6 months was found in 14 patients (2.8%) of 500 in the experimental cohort compared to 5 (1.0%) of 499 in the control group (OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.02-7.96, p=0.046).<\/p>\n
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