The Effect of Varenicline on Smoking Cessation in Hospitalized Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Document Type : Review Article(s)

Authors

1 Tobacco Prevention and Control Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 1. Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran 2. Social Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran

3 Departments of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

4 Mycobacteriology Research Center, Biostatistics Unit, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

5 Tobacco Prevention and Control Research Center,National Institute Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases,Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran Iran

6 Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.

10.34172/ahj.2024.1328

Abstract

Background: Varenicline tartrate is a new and selective agonist of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). This systematic 
review and meta-analysis aimed to determine varenicline efficacy in smoking cessation among hospitalized patients.
Methods: We looked through worldwide databases such as Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus. Relevant 
pieces of research published on varenicline efficacy on smoking cessation among hospitalized patients were discovered using 
proper keywords. The data were analyzed using Stata software version 14 and a random-effects model meta-analysis.
Findings: Nine studies were eligible to be included in this study, with a total sample size of 2131. Generally, the point abstinence 
rate was significantly greater in the varenicline group than in the placebo group at weeks 12 (odds ratio [OR]=0.59; 95% CI: 053-
0.65; P<0.001), 24 (OR=0.78; 95% CI: 0.72-0.84; P<0.001), and 52 (OR=0.86; 95% CI: 0.80-0.92; P<0.001). Furthermore, the 
continuous abstinence rate for weeks 4 (OR=0.70; 95% CI: 019-0.54; P=0.000), 12 (OR=0.26; 95% CI: 019-0.54; P<0.001), 
24 (OR=0.32; 95% CI: 019-0.53; P<0.001), and 52 (OR=0.32; 95% CI: 019-0.54; P<0.001) was significantly greater in the 
varenicline group than in the placebo group. 
Conclusion: According to the high efficacy of varenicline in both short- and long-term smoking settings and considering the 
importance of smoking cessation in high-risk hospitalized patients, varenicline consumption could be considered as a main smoking 
cessation strategy in these patients.

Highlights

Mahshid Aryanpur: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Raheb Ghorbani: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Sajjad Rashno: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Gholamreza Heydari: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Mehdi Kazempour Dizaji: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Zahra Hessami: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Narges Ghorbani: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Keywords

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Addiction & Health
Volume 16, Issue 2
May 2024
Pages 122-129

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