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Changes in prevalence of depression and anxiety following smoking cessation: results from an international cohort study (ATTEMPT)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2013

L. Shahab ,
S. Andrew  and
R. West
L. Shahab*
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
S. Andrew
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
R. West
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
*
* Address for correspondence: L. Shahab, Ph.D., Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1–19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 6BT, UK. (Email [email protected])
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Abstract

Background

Smoking cessation improves physical health but it has been suggested that in vulnerable individuals it may worsen mental health. This study aimed to identify the short- and longer-term effects of stopping smoking on depression and anxiety in the general population and in those with a history of these disorders.

Method

Sociodemographic and smoking characteristics, and mental and physical health were assessed using established measures in the ATTEMPT cohort, an international longitudinal study of smokers (n = 3645). Smokers who had stopped for at least 3 months or less than 3 months at the 12-month follow-up were compared with current smokers (n = 1640).

Results

At follow-up, 9.7% [95% confidence interval (CI) 8.3–11.2] of smokers had stopped for less than 3 months and 7.5% (95% CI 6.3–8.9) for at least 3 months. Compared with current smokers, prevalence of depression prescriptions obtained in the last 2 weeks was lower for those who had stopped for less than 3 months [odds ratio (OR) 0.37, 95% CI 0.14–0.96] or at least 3 months (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.06–0.94) after adjusting for baseline prescription levels and confounding variables. Adjusted prevalence of recent depression symptoms was also lower for ex-smokers who had stopped for less than 3 months (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.15–0.78) or at least 3 months (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.09–0.67) than among continuing smokers. There was no change in anxiety measures in the general population or any increase in anxiety or depression symptoms in ex-smokers with a past history of these conditions.

Conclusions

Smoking cessation does not appear to be associated with an increase in anxiety or depression and may lead to a reduced incidence of depression.

Keywords

Anxietydepressionlongitudinal studiesmental healthsmokingsmoking cessation
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 44 , Issue 1 , January 2014 , pp. 127 - 141
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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