Prescribing of nicotine replacement therapy in and around pregnancy: a population-based study using primary care data

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Dhalwani, Nafeesa N., Szatkowski, Lisa, Coleman, Tim, Fiaschi, Linda and Tata, Laila J. (2014) Prescribing of nicotine replacement therapy in and around pregnancy: a population-based study using primary care data. British Journal of General Practice . e554-e560. ISSN 1478-5242

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Official URL: http://bjgp.org/content/64/626/e554

Abstract

Background Licensing arrangements for nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in the UK were broadened in 2005 to allow prescribing to pregnant smokers. However, estimates of NRT prescribing in pregnant females in the UK are currently lacking.

Aim To assess trends in NRT prescribing around pregnancy, and variation in prescribing by maternal characteristics.

Design and setting Population-based descriptive study using pregnancy data from The Health Improvement Network primary care database, 2001–2012.

Method NRT prescriptions were identified during pregnancy and in the 9 months before and after. Annual prescribing prevalence was calculated. Logistic regression was used to assess females’ likelihood of receiving prescriptions by maternal characteristics.

Results Of 388 142 pregnancies studied, NRT was prescribed in 7551 for an average duration of 2 weeks. The prescribing prevalence of NRT increased from 0.03% (0.7% in smokers) in 2001 to 2.6% (11.4% in smokers) in 2005, after which it remained stable. Prescribing prevalence of NRT before and after pregnancy was half the prevalence during pregnancy. The odds of prescribing NRT during pregnancy in smokers increased with socioeconomic deprivation (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.15 to 1.45 in the most compared with the least deprived group). Prescribing was 33% higher in pregnant smokers with asthma (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.22 to 1.45) and mental illness (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.23 to 1.44) compared with smokers without these diagnoses.

Conclusion NRT prescribing is higher during pregnancy compared with before and after, and is higher in smokers from more socioeconomically deprived groups, those with asthma or those diagnosed mental illness.

Item Type:

Article

RIS ID:

https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/733309

Keywords:

nicotine replacement therapy, pregnancy, prescribing, smoking cessation

Schools/Departments:

University of Nottingham, UK > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Medicine > Division of Primary Care
University of Nottingham, UK > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Medicine > Division of Epidemiology and Public Health

Identification Number:

https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp14X681361

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