No abstract

BackgroundVarenicline is an effective smoking cessation aid. However, smokers prescribed with varenicline do not always receive varenicline for 12 weeks, as recommended. This study analyzed the subjects who received varenicline and investigated the effect of varenicline treatment duration on the success rate of 6-month smoking cessation.MethodsThis study retrospectively analyzed 78 subjects, who received varenicline, out of the 105 smokers that had visited the smoking cessation clinic after medical examination from September 2007 to December 2009.ResultsThe subjects were all males. Twenty-two subjects (28.2%) had varenicline treatment for 12 weeks or longer; 18 subjects (23.1%) for 8~12 weeks; 22 subjects (28.2%) for 4~8 weeks; and 16 subjects (20.5%) for less than 4 weeks. The total success rate of the 6-month smoking cessation was 47.4%. The success rate of the 6-month smoking cessation was 63.6% in the group that received varenicline for 12 weeks or longer, which was higher than 41.1% of the group that early terminated the varenicline treatment (p=0.074). The period of varenicline treatment was extended for one more week, the odds ratio of the 6-month smoking cessation success increased to 1.172-folds (p=0.004; 95% confidence interval, 1.052~1.305). Adverse events occurred in 30.8% of the subjects who received varenicline, but no serious adverse events were found.ConclusionIf varenicline treatment period is extended, the odds ratio of the success rate for the 6-month smoking cessation increases. Therefore, an effort to improve drug compliance for varenicline in clinical practices could be helpful for the long-term success of smoking cessation.

Dietary counseling and oral nutritional supplements (ONS) should be considered to increase the nutritional intake of people malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. These supplements are typically ready-made liquids and contain a balanced mix of energy, protein, and micronutrients. The diabetesspecific ONS are specifically designed for patients with hyperglycemia or diabetes mellitus in order to provide better glycemic control such as postprandial glucose and HbA1c compared to the standard ONS. These supplements are lower in carbohydrates and higher in fat than standard supplements and are rich in monounsaturated fats. Using diabetes-specific ONS in malnourished diabetic patients can allow increasing energy intake while maintaining glucose control and improving nutritional status and also providing economic benefits. However, inadequate intake of ONS that do not fit the patient's condition can be a problem. Therefore, when using ONS for patients with diabetes, it is necessary to clinically evaluate the nutritional status of the patient and to provide individualized education and management accordingly.