Predictors of reduced smoking quantity among recovering alcohol dependent men in a smoking cessation trial

Lung cancer screening program factors that influence psychosocial outcomes: A systematic review

OBJECTIVES

Lung cancer screening (LCS) programs are being designed and implemented globally. Early data suggests that the psychosocial impacts of LCS are influenced by program factors, but evidence synthesis is needed. This systematic review aimed to elucidate the impact of service-level factors on psychosocial outcomes to inform optimal LCS program design and future implementation.

METHODS

Four databases were searched from inception to July 2023. Inclusion criteria were full-text articles published in English that reported an association between any program factors and psychosocial outcomes experienced during LCS. Study quality was appraised, and findings were synthesised narratively.

RESULTS

Thirty-two articles were included; 29 studies were assessed at high or moderate risk of bias. Study designs were RCT (n = 3), pre-post (n = 6), cross-sectional (n = 12), mixed-methods (n = 1), and qualitative (n = 10) studies, and conducted primarily in the USA (n = 25). Findings suggested that targeted interventions can improve smoking-related or decisional psychosocial outcomes (e.g., smoking cessation interventions increase readiness/motivation to quit) but impacts of interventions on other psychological outcomes were varied. There was limited evidence reporting association between service delivery components and psychological outcomes, and results suggested moderation by individual aspects (e.g., expectation of results, baseline anxiety). Opportunities for discussion were key in reducing psychological harm.

CONCLUSIONS

Certain program factors are reportedly associated with psychosocial impacts of LCS, but study heterogeneity and quality necessitate more real-world studies. Future work should examine (a) implementation of targeted interventions and high-value discussion during LCS, and (b) optimal methods and timing of risk and result communication, to improve psychosocial outcomes while reducing time burden for clinicians.

Topiramate for smoking cessation: Systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Topiramate is an antiepileptic drug that has been used for many labeled and off-labeled indications. It may be useful in reducing withdrawal symptoms of various addictive agents such as alcohol, cocaine, cannabis and smoking. To date, some studies have examined the effectiveness of topiramate for smoking cessation. The present review aims to synthesize the results from those studies and determine topiramate effectiveness in smoking cessation.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was conducted in the databases: PubMed/Medline, Cochrane, Egyptian Knowledge Bank, and Google Scholar. All clinical trials that examined the effect of topiramate, compared with the placebo, on smoking cessation rate were included. Statistical analysis using fixed effect models, heterogeneity and sensitivity analysis were conducted using RevMan 5.3.

RESULTS

Five trials met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Topiramate non-significantly increased prolonged smoking abstinence rate (OR=1.19, 95% CI: 0.57–2.5) compared with the placebo. On the other hand, topiramate significantly increased the abstinence rate at weeks 4, 6, 8 and 12 (OR=3.07, 95% CI: 1.19–7.93; OR=4.03, 95% CI: 1.98–8.2; OR=2.29, 95% CI: 1.23–4.28; and OR=2.45, 95% CI: 1.37–4.39; respectively) compared with the placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the five trials, where publication bias cannot be excluded, the current evidence is not sufficient to show a significant difference to favor topiramate in prolonged smoking cessation over the placebo, although the 12th week point prevalence favored topiramate.