Varenicline is more effective in attenuating weight gain than nicotine patch 12 months after the end of smoking cessation therapy: an observational study in Japan.

INTRODUCTION: Although both varenicline and nicotine patch have a beneficial effect in controlling postcessation weight gain, it is not well known whether there is a difference in the effect. METHODS: We conducted a multi-institutional study on smoking cessation therapy (SCT) administered at 4 Japanese hospitals to compare the body weight change from the first session to 12 months after the end of SCT (at 60 weeks) between varenicline users (n = 307) and nicotine patch users (n = 45). RESULTS: The mean weight change from baseline to 12 months after the end of SCT was +0.94 kg (SD: 3.59) in varenicline users and +2.78 kg (SD: 4.88) in nicotine patch users (p = .003, by t test). In multivariate linear regression analysis, varenicline users gained significantly less weight than nicotine patch users (coefficient: -1.787, 95% CI = -2.98 to -0.59) with adjustment for success of quit smoking, age, sex, presence of comorbidity, body mass index at baseline, Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, craving at the end of SCT, and nausea through the SCT. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that varenicline is more effective in attenuating weight gain than nicotine patch in smokers who received Japanese SCT.

Factors associated with weight gain after smoking cessation therapy in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Smoking cessation is often followed by weight gain, which may attenuate motivation to sustain a quit attempt. OBJECTIVES: The aim was to identify factors associated with weight gain in smokers who received smoking cessation therapy (SCT) in Japan. METHODS: The weight change in 283 smokers between baseline and 12 months after finishing SCT was observed. Factors associated with marked weight gain of 3.5 kg or more were identified using stepwise logistic regression. RESULTS: Smoking cessation success was 83% (234/283) at the completion of SCT but decreased to 69% (194/283) 12 months later. Twelve months after the end of SCT, age 50 and over (OR = 0.38, 95% CI [0.19, 0.76]) and varenicline use (OR = 0.30, 95% CI [0.11, 0.78]) were protected against marked weight gain, whereas presence of a comorbidity (OR = 3.33, 95% CI [1.10, 10.00]), high level of nicotine dependence at baseline (OR = 2.07, 95% CI [1.09, 3.92]), and successfully quitting smoking (OR = 4.57, 95% CI [1.94, 10.08]) were associated with marked weight gain. DISCUSSION: Understanding the factors associated with weight gain after smoking cessation can help in the design of nursing interventions to lessen or prevent weight gain among smokers who try to quit.