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Monthly Archives: February 2012

IAS Alcohol Alert 2011 issue 3

The Institute for Alcohol Studies' (IAS) latest Alcohol Alert is available, with the cover feature exploring the Prime Minister's recent indications of support for minimum pricing. See our recent report here after the Cameron spoke out on Britain's “alcohol scandal”.

Contrasting snus and NRT as methods to quit smoking. An observational study

Background: Snus is considerably less hazardous to health than cigarettes. Recent data from Scandinavia have indicated that many smokers use snus as a method for quitting smoking.

Do larger pictorial health warnings diminish the need for plain packaging of cigarettes?

ABSTRACT Aims  To assess the effects on brand appeal of plain packaging and size of pictorial health warnings (PHWs). Design  Three (30%, 70% and 100% size front-of-pack PHWs) by two (branded versus plain) between-subjects online experiment

Time pattern of reduction in risk of oesophageal cancer following alcohol cessation—a meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Aim  To establish the current level of knowledge of the effect of drinking cessation on the risk of developing oesophageal cancer. Method  A meta-analysis was conducted based on relevant studies identified through a systematic literature review. A generalized least squares model for trend estimation of summarized dose–response data were utilized in order to estimate the effect of years since drinking cessation on risk of oesophageal cancer.

Collaborative behavioral management among parolees: drug use, crime and re-arrest in the Step’n Out randomized trial

ABSTRACT Aims  To determine whether collaborative behavioral management (CBM) reduces substance use, crime and re-arrest among drug-involved parolees.

Linking substance use with symptoms of subclinical psychosis in a community cohort over 30 years

ABSTRACT Aims  The aim of the study was to examine the temporal associations between substance use and subclinical psychosis symptoms. Design  Data from a prospective community study sampled within a single cohort over 30 years (1978–2008) were analysed with discrete-time hazard models

Assessment of Generalizability, Applicability, and Predictability (GAP) for evaluating external validity in studies of universal family-based…

Abstract Aims:  To assess external validity characteristics of studies from two Cochrane systematic reviews of the effectiveness of universal family-based prevention of alcohol misuse in young people. Methods:   Two reviewers used an a priori developed external validity rating form and independently assessed three external validity dimensions of generalizability, applicability, and predictability (GAP) in randomized controlled trials.

Involvement of general practitioners in managing alcohol problems: a randomised controlled trial of a tailored improvement programme.

Abstract Aims:  To assess the effect of a tailored multi-facetted improvement programme on GPs’ behaviour towards prevention of hazardous and harmful alcohol consumption.

Evaluation of a drop-in rolling group model of support to stop smoking

Abstract Aims:  To assess longer term outcomes of a drop-in rolling group model of behavioural support for smoking cessation and the factors that influence cessation outcomes. Design:  Prospective observational cohort study

Predictors of the two-year recurrence and persistence of alcohol dependence

ABSTRACT Aims:  To identify independent risk factors of the recurrence of alcohol dependence (AD) in persons with a remitted disorder at baseline and persistence of AD in persons with a current disorder at baseline. Design:  Prospective cohort study with assessments at baseline and two-year follow-up. Setting:   Recruitment from the general population, primary care and outpatient mental health care services