Clinical Characteristics and Smoking Cessation

Abstract

Objectives: Tobacco smokers with a history of depression are less likely to successfully quit smoking than smokers who are not depressed. There is a need for a greater understanding of the link between tobacco dependence and depression. The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in clinical characteristics and smoking cessation program outcomes for depressed and not depressed males and females. Methods: In this 52-week study, smokers (N=211; 135 women and 76 men, 101 depressed smokers and 110 nondepressed smokers) were recruited from a hospital-based smoking cessation program that consisted of pharmacotherapy combined with cognitive therapy. Smoking cessation was measured by breath carbon monoxide concentration. The instruments applied were a self-questionnaire, the Fagerström test for Nicotine Dependence, Diagnostic Interview for Research for Depressive Disorder, and Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test. Laboratory measures were serum glucose, total cholesterol, high-density cholesterol, triglycerides, and tumor necrosis factor-α. Results: Depressed male smokers used more cigarettes daily, presented more alcohol consumption, lower levels of high-density cholesterol, higher levels of tumor necrosis factor-α than depressed and nondepressed female smokers (P<0.05). However, depressed and nondepressed female smokers were more worried about weight gain and presented lower body mass index (kg/m2) than men.