Chantix Study Shows Effectiveness in Schizophrenia Population
Patients with mental health disorders, particularly schizophrenia, have higher rates of cigarette smoking and more difficulty quitting, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. The researchers, who were studying effective smoking cessation treatments, found that the drug varenicline (Chantix®) is an effective tool at helping individuals with schizophrenia quit smoking without causing undue harm.
The study compared smokers, all with diagnosed but clinically stable schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder, who were randomized into either a placebo or varenicline-treated group. The study included a 2-week screening period, 12-week treatment period, and a 12-week posttreatment follow-up period. All participants indicated a willingness to quit smoking.
At the end of the 12-week treatment period, 19% of participants receiving varenicline had a significantly higher abstinence rate from smoking, compared with 4.7% in the placebo-controlled group. At the end of the 24-week trial, participants in the varenicline-treated group continued to show a trend of reduced cigarette use, although at a smaller rate. Most important, the study showed that the varenicline-treated group did not experience any significant changes in schizophrenia symptoms during the trial period, indicating that varenicline may be an effective and safe smoking cessation treatment for patients with clinically stable schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder.
The multi-center trial was conducted with 11 other investigators specializing in mental health disorders in the United States and Canada. The study was funded by Pfizer Inc.
Source.“Varenicline is Safe and Effective for Smoking Cessation in Individuals with Schizophrenia/Schizoaffective Disorder.” (2012, May 29). Retrieved June 1, 2012, from http://www.newswise.com/articles/study-varenicline-is-safe-effective-for-smoking-cessation-in-individuals-with-schizophrenia-schizoaffective-disorder.
Scannable Sports Band Could Save a Life
Oklahoma City-based Rocket Surgery Concepts has announced the launch of their year-long project that allows fire, rescue, emergency, and law enforcement officials the ability to retrieve vital medical and emergency information using Quick Response (QR) technology. Company co-founder and president, Eric Richardson, noted that his mother has diabetes and epilepsy, and a low blood sugar or seizure could render her unconscious without warning. Without information about her medical history, there is a chance she could be mistaken for someone who is overdosing or possibly intoxicated.
Using QR technology, ScanMed QR allows customers to easily create a profile on its website ( http://www.ScanMedQR.com); edit their information, including medical illnesses, current medications, as well as known drug, food, and material allergies; and manage emergency contacts. Once completed, customers order their silicone sports band for $24.99 per year and receive it within 7 to 10 days. Customers also receive updates, upgrades, and feature improvements at no additional cost.
Each band is laser etched with the wearers’ unique QR code and branded with the ScanMed QR logo, including two easily identifiable medical symbols on each side of the logo. In the event of an emergency, responders or Good Samaritans can use any number of free QR scanners available for their iPhone® or Android™ smart-phone to quickly scan the wearer’s QR image and instantly see all information that the customer has chosen to show on his or her profile.
Source.ScanMed QR. (2012, April 20). ScanMed QR Helps Emergency Responders Save Time and Lives Using QR Technology [Press release]. Oklahoma City: Author.