Smoking cessation process and quality of life

Abstract

Background and objective: Smoking habit cessation is undoubtedly a strenuous, extremely demanding and stressful process for smokers; therefore treatment should focus on timely cessation and relapse prevention. The aim of this study is to assess irritability, depression, anxiety and the health-related quality of life of patients visiting a smoking cessation clinic, during both all 3 phases of the treatment and 1 year after completion.

Methods: The participants of the study were 97 people who attended the smoking cessation department of a public tertiary hospital of the capital of Greece. The study consists of 4 phases that took place at intervals of 1, 3, and 12 months respectively. A specially designed questionnaire was used to collect demographic characteristics of the sample and of factors related to their smoking behavior as well as EuroQol (EQ-5D), Fagestrom scale and Snaith-IDA irritability scale.

Results: Results demonstrated positive outcomes both in terms of participation and smoking cessation. Calculations performed by using the Fagestrom Test of Nicotine Dependence showed that 36.2% highly dependent, showing that it was difficult for them to quit smoking permanently. EQ-5D questionnaire results imply that participants are faced with some problems walking, but not to the point of being unable to take care of themselves; however, they do seem to have some problems in carrying out usual activities. Forty-three percent of the sample admitted to moderate pain or indisposition in phase 1, whereas again in phase 1 (first month of the smoking cessation treatment), 78.9% showed signs of moderate anxiety or depression. Correlation of EQ-D5 VAS values between phases 2 and 3, shows that there is statistically significant correlation with a p-value at .001 revealing that the perceived level of quality of life of individuals in phase 2 (completion of smoking cessation program) is higher (70.43) than in phase 3 (one year after) (67.39).

Conclusions: The present study shows that the smoking cessation process affects positively quality of life in all its aspects, reduction of anxiety and depression symptoms.