Fay Stetner

Smoking cessation and the course of major depression: a follow-up study

BACKGROUND Smokers with a history of major depression who attempt to stop smoking have a higher risk of failure than non-depressed smokers. Anecdotal and post-hoc data suggest that those who successfully abstain are at increased risk of depression compared with individuals who continue to smoke. However, these studies confound effects of abstinence and history of depression. We aimed to assess whether there is an increased risk of depression and for how long that increase lasts. METHODS We enrolled 100 smokers (>1 pack per day) with a history of major depression, but who were currently free from major depression and had not been on antidepressant medicine for at least 6 months, in a 2-month smoking-cessation trial. The primary outcome was recurrence of major depression, which we assessed by structured clinical interviews 3 and 6 months after the end of treatment. We verified smoking status by serum-sample cotinine concentrations. FINDINGS 76 participants (42 successful abstainers, 34 smokers) were followed up. 13 abstainers and two smokers had an episode of major depression (odds ratio 7.17 [95% CI 1.5-34.5]; Kaplan-Meier survival curve, log-rank statistic 9.11 [p=003]). Risk of major depression was similar between the first and second 3 months of follow-up. INTERPRETATIONS Smokers with a history of depression who abstain from smoking are at significantly increased risk of developing a new episode of major depression. This risk remains high for at least 6 months.

Depression and depressive symptoms in smoking cessation

Previous findings from a smoking cessation trial showed that smokers with a history of major depression had lower success rates than smokers without a depression history. In an attempt to explain the worse outcome observed for smokers with a history of depression, postcessation data obtained from subjects randomly assigned to the placebo condition were examined further. It was observed that in the first week of a behaviorally oriented treatment program, the frequency and intensity of psychological symptoms, particularly depressive mood, were higher among smokers with past depression, and that this discomfort was related to treatment outcome. Interventions designed to prevent dysphoric symptoms during the acute withdrawal period may improve smoking cessation outcome for smokers with a history of major depression.

Smoking cessation, clonidine, and vulnerability to nicotine among dependent smokers

This study examines the efficacy of clonidine in smoking cessation and the influence of gender, history of major depression, and measures of nicotine dependence.