Abstract
We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis (ID: CRD42016051017) of smoking cessation interventions for patients with current depression. We examined the effectiveness of smoking cessation treatments in improving abstinence rates and depressive symptoms. The following electronic databases were used for potentially eligible studies: PUBMED, PSYCINFO, DIALNET and WEB OF KNOWLEDGE. The search terms used were: smoking cessation, depressive disorder, depression, mood, depressive, depressed, smoking, smokers, nicotine, nicotine dependence, and tobacco cigarette smoking. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality assessment tool (EPHPP). Of the 6,584 studies identified, 20 were eligible and included in the review. Trial designs of studies were 16 randomized controlled trials and 4 secondary studies. Studies included three types of intervention: psychological (6/30%), pharmacological (6/30%) or combined (8/40%). Four trials comprised special populations of smokers. Four studies received a strong methodological quality, 7 were scored as moderate and 9 studies received a weak methodological rating. Analyses of effectiveness showed that smoking cessation interventions appear to increase short-term and long-term smoking abstinence in individuals with current depression. Subgroup analyses revealed stronger effects among studies that provided pharmacological treatments than in studies using psychological treatments. However, the evidence is weak due to the small number of studies. Smoking abstinence appears to be associated with an improvement in depressive symptoms. Heterogeneity in protocols in similar types of treatment also prevent firm conclusions being drawn on the effectiveness of any particular treatment model to optimally manage abstinence among depressed smokers. Further research is required to strengthen the evidence base.
Highlights
Tobacco smoking is one of the main risk factors for many chronic illnesses and the leading preventable cause of morbidity and premature death worldwide [1]
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of smoking cessation interventions in people with depression have been done, but the issue of managing co-occurring conditions has not been examined closely. These reviews included patients who had a history of depression but not current depression [7, 8, 12,13,14], patients who did not meet criteria for depression [7, 8], or studies that did not assess the effects of the intervention and smoking status on depressive symptoms [7, 8, 12, 13]
Both randomized clinical trials and secondary studies were considered for inclusion in this review if they met the following criteria: 1) they provided a smoking cessation treatment for smoking cessation; 2) they comprised samples of adult smokers with current major depression or depressive symptoms; 3) they used reliable and valid tools for depression assessment; and 4) they reported a measure of smoking cessation
Summary
Tobacco smoking is one of the main risk factors for many chronic illnesses and the leading preventable cause of morbidity and premature death worldwide [1]. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of smoking cessation interventions in people with depression have been done, but the issue of managing co-occurring conditions has not been examined closely. These reviews included patients who had a history of depression but not current depression [7, 8, 12,13,14], patients who did not meet criteria for depression [7, 8], or studies that did not assess the effects of the intervention and smoking status on depressive symptoms [7, 8, 12, 13]. As many mental health services do not offer smoking cessation treatment [15] it is hoped that the findings will provide clearer direction on how to incorporate smoking cessation into depression interventions
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
