[Smoking cessation support among persons in situation of precariousness]. / Précarité et sevrage tabagique : réflexions à partir des données de la consultation de tabacologie de l'hôpital européen Georges-Pompidou (AP­HP), Paris.

INTRODUCTION: Underprivileged people smoke more frequently, present with a more severe smoking profile and stop less often than wealthier smokers. They can have difficulties to afford smoking cessation treatments as the French medical insurance coverage system requires smokers to pay it in advance with a later reimbursement. The objective of this study was to compare the characteristics, treatment plans and cessation rates of smokers from disadvantaged population in comparison with smokers in wealthier condition. METHODS: Study population concerned smokers received for a first visit in the smoking cessation service at Georges-Pompidou European Hospital (Paris, France) in 2013. The EPICES score was used to define precariousness. The national file of smoking cessation consultation (CDT) was completed and the nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) prescriptions were detailed, as treatment could be given for free to precarious smokers on a weekly basis. Data were registered in CDTnet, the French national database of smoking cessation services. RESULTS: Precarious smokers (36.8%) presented with a more severe smoking profile and suffered more often from psychiatric disorders than wealthier smokers. They benefited most often from a combination NRT with patch and oral forms. The followed-up precarious smokers attended a greater number of consultations (4.7 against 3.4) and, if they were less often abstainers (22.2% against 41.3%), they were able to significantly reduce their consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Precarious smokers adhere to structured care with aid for access to TSN with a positive consequent impact on consumption.

[Cannabis cessation interventions offered to young French users: predictors of follow-up]. / Facteurs prédictifs de suivi des jeunes fumeurs de cannabis consultant pour sevrage.

INTRODUCTION: Cannabis use is very problematic among young French people, because of the young age of first consumption and its health consequences. Indeed, the average age of cannabis experimentation is about 15 in France and 49.5% of 17 year-olds report having used cannabis in their lives. To prevent this problem, tobacco and cannabis cessation services are dedicated to handle patients who want to stop tobacco and/or cannabis. Moreover, in 2004, specific medical outpatient services have been implemented to address the problem of young cannabis users. Since their establishment, some studies have reported demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients attending these services, but we still lack data on their follow-up and their medical and psychological care. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to describe the clinical and psychiatric characteristics of young patients referred to tobacco/cannabis cessation consultations or specific young cannabis users' consultations and to evaluate their medical care and monitoring. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We designed a retrospective study in seven cessation clinics in the Paris area between 2005 and 2007. Eligible patients were regular cannabis users aged under 40. An electronic medical database was completed using patients' medical records. Medical files reported demographic and clinical data. Psychiatric disorders were assessed using the HAD and the Beck scores. Nicotine dependence was evaluated by Fagerström's score. The history of addictions, and data about consumption of cannabis, tobacco, alcohol and other drugs were recorded in the medical file. The follow-up of patients was defined by having at least two visits at the medical outpatient services. Tobacco and cannabis cessations were assessed at one-month follow-up. Univariate and multivariate logistic models were used to assess factors associated with patients' follow up and monitoring. RESULTS: Four cessation clinics accepted to participate in our study. One hundred and eight eligible patients were listed during the study period. One hundred and eleven patients (75%) were males and seventy-nine (53%) were employed. The average age of patients was 26 years old (±6.8). Fifty patients (34%) came to the clinic on their own decision, thirty-three (22%) were referred by a hospital and twenty-eight (19%) came because of their family's advice. The mean age of first cannabis consumption was 16 years old (±7.3) and cannabis consumption was most often associated with tobacco use. Fifty-nine percent of patients had anxiety disorders and 28% had depression according to D-HAD score. The dropout rate after first visit was about 40%. The most frequent therapy proposed to young cannabis users was nicotine replacement therapy. Follow-up data were collected for 135 patients and only 85 (37%) patients made at least two visits at the outpatient services. The average number of consultations was five (±3.8). Multivariate analysis found an association between follow-up and previous cannabis cessation (P=0.04), pharmacological treatment of tobacco withdrawal (P=0.04), and antidepressant treatment (P=0.04). Only one quarter of patients had quit cannabis and/or tobacco at one-month follow-up. DISCUSSION: This study describes clinical characteristics of patients attending cannabis consultations in France. As reported in other studies, anxiety disorders and depression are important problems in this population and should be considered during their medical care. The efficacy of specific French medical outpatient services is difficult to evaluate because of the high rate of dropout. Some patients' characteristics seem linked to their monitoring but other studies should be assessed to confirm these results. As pharmacological treatments seem associated with patients' follow-up, new research should be implemented to develop therapeutic solutions for cannabis addiction.

Substitution with buprenorphine in methadone- and morphine sulfate-dependent patients. Preliminary results.

In France, during the 1990s, there have been some rapid developments in the treatment of opioid addiction with the introduction of legal substitution agents. Originally, some patients were treated with morphine sulfate, but this was superseded by high dose buprenorphine (Subutex(R)) and methadone. This resulted in those patients originally treated with morphine being transferred to either of these two licensed products. A study investigating the effects of the transition from morphine to either buprenorphine or methadone was undertaken. Supplementary to this, a trial investigating transition between these new compounds was also conducted. The primary outcome measures for these trials were retention rate, which was assessed at 5, 9 and 12 months, and the precipitation of withdrawal symptoms. The studies showed that transferring patients between substitution agents can be accomplished without severe withdrawal symptoms, although specific management may be required for transfer from high doses of methadone to buprenorphine. High long-term retention rates were observed in the studies, with most drop-outs occurring directly after transfer. Results suggest that patients on long-term buprenorphine maintenance therapy may have good compliance in comparison with other agents.

Drug addicts attending specialised institutions: towards a drug addiction data bank?

In 1986, a national survey was carried out in France among 4846 drug abusers attending specialised agencies and treatment centres. Data are analysed and compared with the results of a previous study in 1972. Most French drug abusers are men (74%) ranged in age from 20 to 29 years (68%). Data suggest increasing problems with heroin (69%), cocaine (13%), solvents (5%), alcohol (26%) and multiple drug dependence. Women are younger, they have attempted suicide more often than men but have been incarcerated half as often. Concerning drug abuse trends, women appear to use increasingly sedatives in combination with other drugs. Partial data concerning HIV seropositivity reveal a rate of 48% among drug abusers having been tested.