Abstract
Background: This study evaluated change in health status as a function of change in smoking status among patients treated clinically for nicotine dependence by comparing overall perceived health status of patients who abstained from cigarettes for 1 year versus those who smoked continuously for 1 year. Methods: Patients from the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center completed a quality-of-life questionnaire (SF-36) following their consultation for nicotine dependence (baseline). At 1 year post-intervention, patients were mailed a follow-up survey that included the SF-36 and items assessing interval smoking history. Study patients included those who self-reported continuous smoking (n = 60) and those reporting continuous smoking abstinence for the entire follow-up year (n = 146). Data from SF-36 scales at 1 year were analysed using analysis of covariance with baseline scale scores serving as covariates along with baseline characteristics that differed significantly between groups. Results: Compared with those who continued to smoke, patients who were continuously abstinent from smoking for the entire year had more improvement in perceived health status for the SF-36 mental composite scale (P = 0.009) and for the SF-36 subscales for role limitations (P < 0.001 and P = 0.017 for emotional and physical role limitations, respectively), social functioning (P = 0.010) and general health (P = 0.013). Conclusions: Smokers treated for nicotine dependence who stop smoking for a year report more improvement in-quality-of-life compared with those who continue to smoke.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 251-255 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | European Journal of Public Health |
Volume | 15 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2005 |
Keywords
- Nicotine dependence
- Quality-of-life
- SF-36
- Smoking
- Treatment
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health