Learning Objectives: Compare smoking relapse rates by exposure to recent depressive symptoms.
Abstract:
Problem/Objective: Information about depressive symptoms in persons trying to quit smoking may help health care professionals better tailor smoking cessation advice. Our objective was to estimate abstinence rates among participants of a Web-based study for smoking cessation according to recent menstrual cycle-related depressive symptoms and major depressive episode (MDE) status.
Methods: A sample of 3598 participants enrolled in the study; 1785 (42%) provided 1-month follow-up and 948 (22%) completed 6-month follow-up data. The intervention consisted of a Web-based Smoking Cessation Guide and information about pharmacological aids for smoking cessation. Depressive symptoms related to the menstrual cycle were taken from Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire and administered to women with a recent menstrual cycle. MDE’s were defined using DSM-IV criteria. Abstinence was considered to be 7 days without smoking.
Results: Approximately 30% of women indicated strong to severe depressive symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle. Those with severe menstrual symptoms and current MDE were less likely to report smoking abstinence than those with low menstrual symptoms and those no history of a MDE. Surprisingly, those with past MDEs were more likely to report abstinence than those with no MDE History.
Conclusions: Exposure to recent menstrual cycle distress or a MDE could interfere with smokers’ ability to quit smoking. Identifying those recently exposed to depressive symptoms may help health professionals to better tailor smoking cessation advice, potentially leading to improved cessation rates.
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