Smoking status and health-related quality of life: as findings from the 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance
Reema R Mody1, Michael J Smith
1Department of Pharmaceutical Systems and Policy, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, PO Box 9510, West Virginia University, School of Pharmacy, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA. rmody@hsc.wvu.edu
Purpose:
To examine the relationship between smoking status and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).
Design:
Our study used a cross-sectional analysis with self-reported data from the 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
Setting:
United States.
Subjects:
Subjects were a representative sample of noninstitutionalized adults aged 18 years and older. After excluding respondents who reported being pregnant and for whom smoking status could not be determined, we included 209,031 respondents.
Measures:
Multiple logistic regressions were performed to examine the associations of smoking status with the four HRQOL items, controlling for demographic and health-related characteristics.
Results:
Current smokers had a higher likelihood of reporting poor general health status compared with nonsmokers and ex-smokers. Compared with nonsmokers, current smokers had a higher likelihood of reporting > or = 14 days of poor physical health (odds ratio [OR] = 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.51-1.77), poor mental health (OR = 1.99, 95% Cl = 1.84-2.16), and activity limitations (OR = 1.80, 95% Cl = 1.63-2.00). Similarly, compared with ex-smokers, current smokers had a higher likelihood of reporting > or = 14 days of poor physical health (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.19-1.42), poor mental health (OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.50-1.81), and activity limitations (OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.32-1.65). Age, income, and presence of comorbidities also significantly explained variation in HRQOL.
Conclusions:
Our study reaffirms the significant association between smoking and HRQOL in a large nationally representative sample. Poor health associated with smoking persists as a major public health problem, and effective preventive and smoking cessation efforts should be undertaken.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Statistical Methods for Analyzing Epidemiological Data
01:26Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
01:20Lifestyle Factors and Health
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...
01:11Observational Studies
There are three types of observational studies – Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional.
Prospective Study
Prospective studies, also known as longitudinal or cohort studies, are carried out by collecting future data from groups sharing similar characteristics. One example of...
01:23Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...
01:28Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract I: Health History
Subjective Data
Subjective data provides vital information about the patient's health history and symptoms. This data is typically collected through interviews in which patients describe their experiences, symptoms, and concerns.
Health history and key...