Negative affectivity in smokers applying to smoking cessation clinics: a case-control study

The objective of this study was to assess whether subjects applying to smoking cessation clinics display a higher level of affective symptoms than smokers recruited from the general population.

The study was conducted according to a cross-sectional, case-control design. Cases were smokers applying to public smoking cessation clinics for the first time and controls were smokers recruited from the general population. Socio-demographic data and clinical information were collected. Self- (Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) and hetero-administered (Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety scale) rating scales were used to assess anxious and depressive symptoms. Nicotine dependence was measured via a self-administered questionnaire (Fagerström Tolerance Questionnaire).

Sixty-eight cases were recruited, individually matched, and compared to controls. Overall, cases had significantly higher scores than controls when the rating scales assessing anxious and depressive symptoms were evaluated.

Smokers applying to smoking cessation clinics for the first time have a higher level of negative affectivity than smokers from the general population. An evaluation of the level of negative affectivity could be introduced into clinical practice to have a complete assessment of the patient. We propose adding psychological or pharmacological support to complement the smoking cessation program.