Predictors of Smoking Patterns After First Stroke

Abstract

Persistent smoking following stroke is associated with poor outcomes including development of secondary stroke and increased mortality risk. This study uses longitudinal data from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (1992–2008) to investigate whether depression and duration of inpatient hospital care impact smoking outcomes among stroke survivors (N = 745). Longer duration of care was associated with lower likelihood of persistent smoking. Depression was associated with greater cigarette consumption. Interaction effects were also significant, indicating that for survivors who experienced longer inpatient care there was a weaker association between depression and cigarette consumption. Implications for practice and research are discussed.