Relationship of anxiety and depression with smoking cessation treatments: a follow-up study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Smoking is known to be closely associated with a stress levels and anxiety. In this study, the effects of smoking cessation treatments were investigated on anxiety/depression. Methods Socio-demographic characteristics The Fagerström/Test/Nicotine/Dependence, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale were applied at first time. The first group received “varenicline+counseling,” second group “bupropion+counseling,” and third group “counseling only.” The HAD scores were recorded in quit smokers. Anxiety and depression scores were compared between groups and between smokers and ex-smokers in the first and sixth month. Results Firstly, The HAD scores revealed that anxiety was present in 46.8%, depression in 11.2%, anxiety and/or depression in 48.9%. A significant decrease in both anxiety and depression scores was observed in quit smokers at 6 months (47.9% and 37.4%, respectively) (p < .001). At the sixth month, there was a significant decrease in anxiety scores in the varenicline and bupropion groups. In addition, a significant decrease in the depression score was observed in the varenicline group. In the bupropion group, the smoking cessation rate was higher in those with high anxiety and/or depression scores (66.7%). Conclusions Varenicline decreased anxiety/or depression scores in both smokers and quit smokers, whereas quit smoking rate increased in those with anxiety/depression in the bupropion.