Longitudinal analysis of the relationship between PTSD symptom clusters, cigarette use, and physical health-related quality of life

Abstract

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, particularly numbing and hyperarousal symptoms, are related to poor physical health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Tobacco dependence is also associated with poor HRQoL, and individuals with PTSD may smoke at higher rates than the general population. Our study aimed to examine the impact of quitting smoking and changes in PTSD symptoms over time on changes in physical HRQoL. The study used archival data from enrollees (N = 943) in a smoking cessation clinical trial for veterans with PTSD (VA Cooperative study #519). Two of the physical HRQoL domains were sensitive to changes in PTSD symptoms over time: General Health and Vitality. Our findings suggest that particular physical HRQoL domains may be subject to improvement if PTSD symptoms decrease over time.