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

Objective: 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. Methods: 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 Asherg 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 (Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire). Results: 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. Conclusions: 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. Depression and Anxiety 26:824-830, 2009. (C) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.