Assessing the Use of Nicotine Gum to Decrease Betel Nut Chewing in Saipan
Assessing the Use of Nicotine Gum to Decrease Betel Nut Chewing in Saipan
The study will include a prospective, randomized, double-blinded trial, with a total of 45 subjects enrolled. Research subjects will be recruited from a population of adult patients (current patients at Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation) 18 years or older who are daily betel nut chewers who add tobacco to their chew. One of the study team members will be traveling to Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands and a letter of support has been obtained in order to conduct the study.
Eligible patients must be non-tobacco smokers, be actively interested in betel nut reduction or cessation, and chew at least four times a day on average. Subjects will be randomized equally into three distinct groups for the purpose of this study:
Objectives include:
A. Assess the efficacy of nicotine gum as a replacement therapy in reducing betel nut usage among adult betel nut chewers in Saipan.
B. Determine if larger doses of nicotine in gum are associated with statistically significantly greater reductions in betel nut usage.
C. Leverage results from this study as a means to explore further if nicotine gum would be helpful in decreasing betel nut consumption.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: