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Methods to Evaluate Cytotoxicity and Immunosuppression of Combustible Tobacco Product Preparations
Published on: January 10, 2015
Symptoms in smokers trying to quit
Tanja Tomson1, Mats Toftgård, Hans Gilljam
1Centre for Public Health, Stockholm County Council & Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.
Tobacco Induced Diseases
|July 3, 2009
Summary
Psychological and neurological symptoms significantly hinder tobacco abstinence, often leading to unsuccessful quit attempts. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) can effectively reduce these challenging symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Addiction research
- Psychopharmacology
- Public health
Background:
- Tobacco abstinence is challenging due to withdrawal symptoms.
- Understanding symptom dimensions is crucial for effective smoking cessation interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and intensity of symptoms during tobacco abstinence.
- To identify underlying symptom dimensions in individuals attempting to quit smoking.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study with retrospective self-report questionnaire.
- 12-month assessment period for 741 participants from a national quitline.
- Factor analysis used to explore relationships between 17 reported symptoms.
Main Results:
- High symptom intensity (craving, irritability, anxiety, concentration difficulties, restlessness, depression, insomnia) correlated with unsuccessful quitting.
- Factor analysis revealed three symptom dimensions: psychological (most significant), physiological, and neurological.
- Extended Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) use (≥5 weeks) reduced symptoms within the psychological factor.
Conclusions:
- Interrelated psychological and neurological symptoms are major barriers to successful smoking cessation.
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) shows promise in managing these critical symptoms for successful quitting.
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