Evidence map›Paper›PMID 21301812›Full record

Trial reportPsychopharmacology2011

A randomised placebo-controlled trial of oral hydrocortisone for treating tobacco withdrawal symptoms.

Michael Ussher, Paul Aveyard, Fiona Reid, Robert West, Phil Evans, Angela Clow, Frank Hucklebridge, Julie Fuller, Judith Ibison, Andrew Steptoe

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in Psychopharmacology, 2011. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
0.2field-weighted citation impact, top 53% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 2 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors at 4 institutions in 1 country.

Michael UssherDivision of Population Health Sciences and Education, St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 ORE, UK. mussher@sgul.ac.uk
Paul Aveyard
Fiona Reid
Robert West
Phil Evans
Angela Clow
Frank Hucklebridge
Julie Fuller
Judith Ibison
Andrew Steptoe
St George's, University of London · GBUniversity College London · GBUniversity of Birmingham · GBUniversity of Westminster · GB

Funding

Cancer Research UK C8641/A8419
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

rationaleMany smokers experience a decline in cortisol to sub-normal levels during the first days of smoking cessation. A greater decline in cortisol is associated with more intense cigarette withdrawal symptoms, urge to smoke and relapse to smoking. Findings from an uncontrolled study suggest that glucocorticoids could ameliorate cigarette withdrawal.

objectivesWe investigated whether taking oral hydrocortisone would reduce withdrawal symptoms and the desire to smoke on the first day of temporary smoking abstinence compared with placebo.

methodsUsing a double-blind within-subject randomised crossover design, 48 smokers took a single dose of 40 mg hydrocortisone, 20 mg hydrocortisone or placebo following overnight smoking abstinence. Abstinence was maintained through the afternoon, and withdrawal symptoms and the desire to smoke were rated across the morning. Salivary cortisol was assessed in the afternoon prior to abstinence (baseline) and while abstinent after each treatment.

resultsThere was a significant dose-response relation between dose of hydrocortisone and reduction in depression and anxiety ratings while abstinent, but there were no other statistically significant associations with dose. Overall, the decline in cortisol following smoking cessation (placebo only) was not significant. Cortisol level on the afternoon of smoking abstinence was not significantly associated with symptom ratings.

conclusionsSupplements of hydrocortisone do not reduce the desire to smoke but may ameliorate withdrawal-related depression and anxiety, although the clinical benefit is slight.

Indexed as

AdolescentAdultCross-Over StudiesDose-Response Relationship, DrugDouble-Blind MethodFemaleHumansHydrocortisoneMaleMiddle AgedSalivaSmokingSmoking CessationSubstance Withdrawal SyndromeYoung AdultHydrocortisone

Identifiers

PMID21301812
OpenAlexW2114357171

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.