Relapse to smoking and health-related quality of life: Secondary analysis of data from a study of smoking relapse prevention

Fujian Song (Lead Author), Max O. Bachmann, Paul Aveyard, Garry Barton, Tracey Brown, Vivienne Maskrey, Florence Blyth, Caitlin Notley, Richard Holland, Stephen Sutton, Thomas Brandon

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Abstract

Background: Previous studies have shown that smoking and smoking cessation may be associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). In this study, we compared changes in HRQoL in people who maintained abstinence with people who had relapsed to smoking.
Methods: This was a secondary analysis of data from a trial of a relapse prevention intervention in 1,407 short-term quitters. The European Quality of Life -5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) measured HRQoL at baseline, 3 and 12 months. Smoking outcome was continuous abstinence from 2 to 12 months, and 7-day smoking at 3 and 12 months. We used nonparametric test for differences in EQ-5D utility scores, and chi-square test for dichotomised response to each of the five EQ-5D dimensions. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted to evaluate associations between smoking relapse and HRQoL or anxiety/depression problems.
Results: The mean EQ-5D tariff score was 0.8252 at baseline. People who maintained abstinence experienced a statistically non-significant increase in the EQ-5D score (mean change 0.0015, P=0.88), while returning to smoking was associated with a statistically significant decrease in the EQ-5D score (mean change -0.0270, P=0.004). After adjusting for multiple baseline characteristics, the utility change during baseline and 12 months was statistically significantly associated with continuous abstinence, with a difference of 0.0288 (95% CI: 0.0006 to 0.0571, P=0.045) between relapsers and continuous quitters. The only difference in quality of life dimensions between those who relapsed and those who maintained abstinence was in the proportion of participants with anxiety/depression problems at 12 months (30% vs. 22%, P=0.001). Smoking relapse was associated with a simultaneous increase in anxiety/depression problems.
Conclusions: People who achieve short-term smoking abstinence but subsequently relapse to smoking have a reduced quality of life, which appears mostly due to worsening of symptoms of anxiety and depression. Further research is required to more fully understand the relationship between smoking and health-related quality of life, and to develop cessation interventions by taking into account the impact of anxiety or depression on smoking.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere0205992
JournalPLoS One
Volume13
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Nov 2018

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