Efficacy of a novel online integrated treatment for problem gambling and tobacco smoking: Results of a randomized controlled trial

Background and aims

Problem gambling and tobacco use are highly comorbid among adults. However, there are few treatment frameworks that target both gambling and tobacco use simultaneously (i.e., an integrated approach), while also being accessible and evidence-based. The aim of this two-arm open label RCT was to examine the efficacy of an integrated online treatment for problem gambling and tobacco use.

Methods

A sample of 209 participants (Mage = 37.66, SD = 13.81; 62.2% female) from North America were randomized into one of two treatment conditions (integrated [n = 91] or gambling only [n = 118]) that lasted for eight weeks and consisted of seven online modules. Participants completed assessments at baseline, after treatment completion, and at 24-week follow-up.

Results

While a priori planned generalized linear mixed models showed no condition differences on primary (gambling days, money spent, time spent) and secondary outcomes, both conditions did appear to significantly reduce problem gambling and smoking behaviours over time. Post hoc analyses showed that reductions in smoking and gambling craving were correlated with reductions in days spent gambling, as well as with gambling disorder symptoms. Relatively high (versus low) nicotine replacement therapy use was associated with greater reductions in gambling behaviours in the integrated treatment condition.

Discussion and conclusions

While our open label RCT does not support a clear benefit of integrated treatment, findings suggest that changes in smoking and gambling were correlated over time, regardless of treatment condition, suggesting that more research on mechanisms of smoking outcomes in the context of gambling treatment may be relevant.

Responses to Gradual and Immediate Reduction of Nicotine in Cigarettes in Young Versus Older Adult Smokers

INTRODUCTION

As the FDA works to determine whether a nicotine reduction policy would benefit public health, one key question is whether to mandate an immediate or gradual reduction in nicotine levels in cigarettes. The aim of this study was to determine whether the effects of gradual versus immediate nicotine reduction on cigarettes per day (CPD), total nicotine equivalents, and subjective responses differed in younger adults versus older adults.

METHODS

Using data from a recent randomized trial conducted in the United States (N = 1250) that switched smokers over a 20-week period to very low nicotine content (VLNC) cigarettes either immediately, gradually (via monthly reductions in nicotine content), or not at all (control condition, normal nicotine content research cigarette), we analyzed the moderating effect of age (age 18-24 or 25+).

RESULTS

For both age groups, CPD in the immediate condition was significantly lower relative to gradual condition (estimated mean difference of 6.3 CPD in young adults, 5.2 CPD in older adults; p's < .05). Younger and older adults in the immediate and gradual reduction conditions had lower total nicotine equivalents at Week 20 (all p's < .05) than those in the control condition; age group did not moderate this effect. Positive subjective responses to cigarettes were lower among young adults relative to older adults in the immediate condition.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that an immediate reduction in nicotine would result in beneficial effects in both young and older adults. Young adults show less positive subjective effects of smoking following switching to VLNC cigarettes relative to older adults.

IMPLICATIONS

As researchers work to understand how a potential reduced-nicotine product standard for cigarettes may affect public health, one question is whether nicotine should be reduced immediately or gradually. This study demonstrates that both young and older adults who were switched immediately to the lowest content of nicotine smoked fewer CPD and had lower nicotine intake than those in the gradual condition. Furthermore, young adults appear to show lower positive subjective effects following switching to VLNC cigarettes relative to older adults. This is consistent with previous work demonstrating that young people appear to show lower abuse liability for VLNC cigarettes.

A Consideration for Surgical Management in Select T4b Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

The role of surgery for conventionally "unresectable" (cT4b) oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma is unclear. We analyzed factors associated with overall survival in cT4b relative to cT4a oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS

We identified 6830 cT4a and 522 cT4b oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma chemoradiation or surgery + adjuvant therapy patients in the National Cancer Data Base from 2004 to 2016. The main outcome was overall survival. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-squared tests, univariable and multivariable regression analysis.

RESULTS

The cT4b group had a higher rate of positive margins (30.4% vs 21.3%, P = .009) and downstaging (41.2% vs 13.1%; P < .001) compared to cT4a, while only 1.7% were upstaged. cT4b surgery + chemoradiation patients had similar survival to cT4a surgery + radiation (HR 0.93; 95% CI, 0.70-1.25) and cT4a surgery + chemoradiation patients (HR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.69-1.23), while cT4b surgery + radiation patients had worse OS (HR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.05-1.47).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical T4b staging is a poor predictor of pathologic staging given a high rate of downstaging on final pathology. Surgical resection with adjuvant chemoradiation is an option in select cT4b oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of major salivary gland malignancies in children

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Determine demographics, clinical characteristics, and survival rates for children with primary salivary gland malignancies.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective, population-based cohort study.

METHODS

All cases of primary salivary gland malignancies diagnosed between the years of 2002 and 2013 in patients ages 0 to 19 years were extracted from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Additional variables collected included age, gender, ethnicity, tumor histological subtype, tumor size, treatment modality, vitality status, and follow-up time. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated.

RESULTS

Two hundred forty-five primary salivary gland malignancies were identified (220 parotid, 25 submandibular). Median age at diagnosis was 15 years. Most patients were female (59%), white (74%), and non-Spanish/Hispanic/Latino (81%). Among parotid tumors, mean tumor size was 2.3 cm, and there were 109 (50%) mucoepidermoid carcinomas and 86 (39%) acinic cell carcinomas. Most patients underwent surgery (n = 212, 96%) and 64 (29%) received adjuvant radiation. At a mean follow-up of 62.4 months, 10 patients (5%) were deceased. Kaplan-Meier survival curves illustrated that black children exhibited higher mortality rates than white children (15.8% vs. 4.6%, log-rank = 0.0260) as did those who underwent adjuvant radiation (15.73% vs. 3.2%, log-rank = 0.0209). Among submandibular tumors, mean tumor size was 3.1 cm, and there were 11 (44%) mucoepidermoid carcinomas. All patients underwent surgery and most received adjuvant radiation (n = 15, 60%). At a mean follow-up of 51.25 months, one patient was deceased.

CONCLUSIONS

Salivary gland malignancies in children and adolescents are rare. Overall survival for both parotid and submandibular tumors in children is good.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4. Laryngoscope, 128:1126-1132, 2018.

Pediatric thyroid cancer: An update from the SEER database 2007-2012

OBJECTIVE

To update the medical literature regarding the incidence, disease specific survival, and treatment modalities utilized in pediatric patients diagnosed with thyroid carcinomas.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross Sectional Analysis of a National Database.

STUDY SETTING

SEER Database.

METHODS

The National Cancer Institute's Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Database was queried for all cases of pediatric thyroid cancer between the years 2007 and 2012. Patients ages 0-19 were grouped by histological subtypes and demographic data, overall incidence rate, and disease specific survival after surgery and surgery with radiation therapy. Fifteen-Year Disease Specific Survival Curves were generated and treatment modalities were compared to assess for statistical differences at each yearly interval.

RESULTS

A total of 1723 pediatric patients were identified and the average age-adjusted rate of malignancy was determined to be 0.59 per 100,000 patients. The incidence of pediatric thyroid cancer was approximately 4.4:1 when comparing females to males, respectively. Papillary subtype was the most common (n = 1014, 58.8%), followed by follicular variant subtype (n = 397, 23%), follicular subtype (n = 173, 10.1%) and medullary subtype (n = 139, 8.1%). As pediatric patients reached fifteen to nineteen years of age, the incidence of papillary and follicular variant subtypes increased. Analysis of medullary thyroid cancer data revealed that incidence was highest in the zero to four age group and declined at later years. Pediatric patients presenting with metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma maintained significantly poorer fifteen-year disease specific survival when compared to other histologic subtypes (p < 0.05). Intervention with surgery and radiation therapy provided significant benefit across all histologic subtypes when evaluating disease specific survival at fifteen-years past the initial diagnoses (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric thyroid carcinoma remains an uncommon diagnosis despite an annual increase in incidence of approximately one percent since the development of the SEER database. Overall, pediatric thyroid carcinomas demonstrate an excellent prognosis if identified early and appropriate management is available. Caucasian female patients have higher incidence of carcinoma diagnoses when compared to males. Medullary histologic subtype, especially when metastatic at initial diagnoses, demonstrates statistically poorer outcomes when compared to other subtypes.

Characterization of B-Cells in tonsils of patients diagnosed with pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated streptococcus

OBJECTIVE

To determine if Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcus (PANDAS) patients demonstrate a significantly different number of B-Cells or markers of activity when compared to recurrent Group A Streptococcus or Obstructive Sleep Apnea patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective Cohort Study.

STUDY SETTING

Academic University Hospital.

METHODS

Tonsil tissue was collected from twenty-two patients in the operating room and organized into three groups. Ten clinically diagnosed PANDAS, six Group A Streptococcus and six Obstructive Sleep Apnea patients were included in this study. Each tissue sample was extracted with MSD Tris Lysis Buffer and protein lysates were analyzed for CD 19, B-Cell Activating Factor and B-Cell Activating Receptor by western blot methods.

RESULTS

Based on ANOVA analysis, there was no significant difference in the expression of B-Cell Activating Factor, B-Cell Activating Receptor or CD 19 when comparing the three study groups by western blot analysis methods.

CONCLUSIONS

In this prospective cohort study, it appears that PANDAS patients do not demonstrate increased number of B-Cells, expression of B-Cell Activating Factor or B-Cell Activating Receptor when compared to Group A Streptococcus or Obstructive Sleep Apnea cohorts. As a result, further evaluation of the cell-mediated immune system is warranted to provide further insight into the pathophysiology of PANDAS. In addition, we must investigate if PANDAS patients only demonstrate increased B-Cell number or activity when undergoing an acute Tic/OCD exacerbation.