News

Recurrent depression worsens odds of smoking cessation


 

References

People with recurrent depression are much less likely to be able to effectively quit smoking, according to a study conducted by Laurie Zawertailo, Ph.D., and her associates.

Participants were interviewed 6 months after receiving an intervention. In a secondary analysis of data, Dr. Zawertailo and her colleagues found that those with recurrent depression reported trying to quit six or more times in the past. When variables known to be tied to quit success such as age and socioeconomic indicators were entered into a regression model, the investigators found that recurrent depression was the only factor that remained a significant predictor of abstinence at 6 months. Depression diagnoses were self-reported and not confirmed by validated scales or interviews.

“These findings indicate that depression status should be assessed prior to initiating treatment for smoking cessation and treatment should be tailored to provide additional support through counseling and/or pharmacotherapy,” the investigators concluded.

Find the full study in Psychiatry Research (doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2014.12.027).

Recommended Reading

Many intervention options effective for homeless adolescent substance users
MDedge Internal Medicine
AUDIO: Can you really be addicted to food?
MDedge Internal Medicine
Early intervention key in food addiction
MDedge Internal Medicine
FDA announces new potential side effects for varenicline
MDedge Internal Medicine
Heroin users access emergency service more than others do
MDedge Internal Medicine
Heroin and prescription opioid users share worries about their lives
MDedge Internal Medicine
Heroin overdoses up dramatically since 2010
MDedge Internal Medicine
Opioid dependency treatment programs offer wide-ranging benefits
MDedge Internal Medicine
Guideline recommends combination therapy for smoking cessation in cancer patients
MDedge Internal Medicine
Consequences of cocaine use facilitate impulsiveness-depression relationship
MDedge Internal Medicine