Section - Quick Takes

04. E-Cigarette Use Patterns, Flavors, and Device Characteristics Associated With Quitting Smoking Among a U.S. Sample of Adults Using E-Cigarettes in a Smoking Cessation Attempt

Published on April 1, 2023 Certification expiration date: April 1, 2026

James Phelps, M.D.

Research Editor - Psychopharmacology Institute

Key Points

Cigarette use remains the leading cause of preventable death, accounting for more than 8 million global deaths annually. Fifty percent of adults make attempts to quit each year, and a Cochrane review found that e-cigarettes produce better quit rates than nicotine replacement therapies.
In that context, what variables affect success when patients use e-cigarettes? Answer: Make an abrupt switch; don’t gradually transition from cigarettes.
To enrich the yield from this article, Dr. Phelps digresses into the use of the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons, feeling that he finally (mostly) understands it.

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When a study investigates many variables and then calculates a p-value for all of them, this can be criticized for making multiple comparisons. I’m not very statistically sophisticated, but a quick literature search informed me that correcting for multiple comparisons is not simple. There are debates about when and how to do this, which includes the Bonferroni correction. This article by Dr. Krysten Bold and colleagues about smoking cessation has 2 take-home points for us. First, we learn of some factors that are statistically associated with successfully stopping cigarette use. And secondly, we can learn a little bit about correcting for multiple comparisons.

Hi! Jim Phelps here for the Psychopharmacology Institute. First, the bottom line on smoking cessation: If your patient is going to use an electronic cigarette device, it’s probably better to make an abrupt switch as opposed to using both cigarettes and the e-cigarette while tapering down. Also,

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05. Effect of Pharmacogenomic Testing for Drug–Gene Interactions on Medication Selection and Remission of Symptoms in Major Depressive Disorder: The PRIME Care Randomized Clinical Trial

Learning Objectives:

Evaluate 2 studies, which suggest that clozapine can decrease the use of cannabis among patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
Examine research literature on 5 novel approaches to treatment-resistant depression.
Evaluate a landmark randomized trial of a smartphone app for relapse prevention in patients with bipolar I disorder.
Examine variables that might influence success when patients attempt to stop smoking using e-cigarettes.
Determine whether pharmacogenomic testing affects antidepressant medication selection and whether such testing leads to better clinical outcomes.

Original Release Date: April 1, 2023

Review and Re-release Date: March 1, 2024

Expiration Date: April 1, 2026

Expert: James Phelps, M.D.

Medical Editor: Melissa Mariano, M.D.

Relevant Financial Disclosures:

James R Phelps declares the following interests:

- McGraw-Hill: Royalties

- W.W. Norton & Co.: Royalties

All of the relevant financial relationships listed above have been mitigated by Medical Academy and the Psychopharmacology Institute.

Contact Information: For questions regarding the content or access to this activity, contact us at support@psychopharmacologyinstitute.com

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Participants must complete the activity online during the valid credit period that is noted above.

Follow these steps to earn CME credit:

View the required educational content provided on this course page.
Complete the Post Activity Evaluation for providing the necessary feedback for continuing accreditation purposes and for the development of future activities. NOTE: Completing the Post Activity Evaluation after the quiz is required to receive the earned credit.
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Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of Medical Academy LLC and the Psychopharmacology Institute. Medical Academy is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation Statement

Medical Academy designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.