Professor Fujian Song Professor, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia
Abstract
Background: Previous studies indicated that Smoking and smoking cessation are associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). In this study we investigates the impact of smoking relapse on HRQoL in people who stopped smoking with cessation support.
Methods: This was a secondary analysis of data from a trial that included 1407 short-term quitters. The EQ-5D was used to measure HRQoL at baseline, 3 and 12 months. Linear regression analysis was used to estimate association between changes in EQ-5D tariff scores and smoking relapse, and chi-square test for dichotomised response to each of the 5 EQ-5D dimensions.
Results: The difference in mean EQ-5D score was statistically significant between relapsers and continuous quitters at 12 months (0.7924 vs. 0.8307, P=0.04). The change in EQ-5D utility during baseline and 12 months was -0.0270 (deteriorated P=0.0035) for the relapsed and 0.0015 (non-significantly improved P=0.883) for continuous quitters. After adjusting for multiple baseline characteristics, the association between utility change and continuous abstinence was statistically significant (P=0.008). Of the 5 EQ-5D dimensions, only anxiety/depression was statistically significant associated with smoking relapse (P=0.001).
Conclusions: Smoking relapse is negatively associated with HRQoL in short-term quitters, which seems mainly attributable to problems related to anxiety and/or depression.
Source of funding: UK NIHR HTA programme (Project 09/91/36)
Declaration of interest: No conflict of interest to declare
