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Smoking and depression: Is smoking cessation effective?
Eleni Ischaki1, Christina Gratziou
1Smoking Cessation Center, Pulmonary and Critical Care Department, Evgenidio Hospital, Medical School, University of Athens, Greece. eischaki@yahoo.gr
Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease
|March 19, 2009
Summary
Depression and smoking often coexist due to shared factors and nicotine
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Addiction Medicine
- Genetics
Background:
- Patients with depression exhibit higher smoking rates and nicotine dependence severity.
- Nicotine's antidepressant and rewarding effects may contribute to the smoking-depression link.
- Shared genetic and environmental factors likely influence the relationship between smoking and depression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the complex relationship between depression and smoking.
- To investigate factors influencing smoking cessation difficulties in depressed individuals.
- To review current treatment guidelines for smokers with psychiatric comorbidities.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on smoking and depression.
- Analysis of genetic and environmental factors implicated in the smoking-depression relationship.
- Examination of data on smoking cessation success rates and predictors in depressed populations.
Main Results:
- Conflicting data exists regarding the difficulty of smoking cessation for depressed smokers.
- Low self-esteem and confidence are significant predictors of failed smoking cessation attempts.
- Nicotine may act as an antidepressant, complicating cessation efforts.
Conclusions:
- Combination treatment (counseling and pharmaceuticals) is recommended for depressed smokers.
- Prolonged therapeutic approaches are suggested for smoking cessation in this population.
- Further research into the interplay of genetic and environmental factors is warranted.
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