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Smoking Cessation Interventions for Patients with Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES

We conducted a systematic literature review of smoking cessation interventions for patients with histories of depressive disorders or current significant depressive symptoms. We examined the comparative effectiveness of smoking cessation strategies on abstinence rates, differential effects of cessation strategies by depression status (i.e., history positive vs. current depression), and differential effects by gender.

DATA SOURCES

Peer-reviewed literature in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library.

Study eligibility criteria, participants, and interventions

Randomized controlled trials or secondary analysis of RCT data comparing two or more smoking cessation interventions or intervention to control, and reporting cessation outcomes in adults with depression.

STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS

Two trained researchers screened articles for inclusion. When possible, we estimated pooled risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals by using a random effects model with the Mantel–Haenszel method. We synthesized other studies qualitatively. We classified each intervention as antidepressants, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), brief smoking cessation counseling, smoking cessation behavioral counseling, or behavioral mood management.

RESULTS

We identified 16 unique RCTs, of which, only three trials recruited participants with current depression. Meta-analysis demonstrated a small, positive effect of adding behavioral mood management (RR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.01–1.96). All included antidepressant trials showed small, positive effects, but risk ratio summary was not significant (RR = 1.31, 95% CI 0.73–2.34). Three NRT trials demonstrated small, positive effects on smoking cessation rates. We found insufficient evidence to examine gender and depression status moderator effects.

LIMITATIONS

Few RCTs exist that test smoking cessation interventions among adults with depression. To make meaningful comparisons, we created broad intervention categories that contained heterogeneity.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS

Few trials enrolled smokers with current depression. Most of data identified were from subgroup analyses of patients history-positive for depression. However, several promising interventions exist. Healthcare providers should consider encouraging their patients with significant depressive symptoms or depression histories to seek smoking cessation services that include NRT and behavioral mood management.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Liz Wing for her expert editing skills and Megan Von Isenburg for her assistance in optimizing literature search strategies. We would like to thank the expert panel and reviewers of the original evidence synthesis report; their comments significantly improved this research. This study was funded with support from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Office of Research and Development Evidence-based Synthesis Project [Project Number: ESP 09–010]. At the time of these analyses, Dr. Gierisch was funded by an AHRQ NRSA postdoctoral traineeship at Duke University Medical Center [Grant No. T-32-HS000079]. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States government.

Conflict of Interest

None disclosed.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Health Services Research in Primary Care, Durham Veteran Affairs Medical Center (152), 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC, 27705, USA

    Jennifer M. Gierisch PhD, MPH, Lori A. Bastian MD, MPH, Jennifer R. McDuffie PhD & John W. Williams Jr. MD, MHSc

  2. Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

    Jennifer M. Gierisch PhD, MPH, Lori A. Bastian MD, MPH, Jennifer R. McDuffie PhD & John W. Williams Jr. MD, MHSc

  3. VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness, Research, Education & Clinical Center, Durham, NC, USA

    Patrick S. Calhoun PhD

  4. Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

    Patrick S. Calhoun PhD & John W. Williams Jr. MD, MHSc

Authors
  1. Jennifer M. Gierisch PhD, MPH
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  2. Lori A. Bastian MD, MPH
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  3. Patrick S. Calhoun PhD
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  4. Jennifer R. McDuffie PhD
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  5. John W. Williams Jr. MD, MHSc
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jennifer M. Gierisch PhD, MPH.

Additional information

Systematic review registration number: Department of Veterans Affairs Evidence-based Synthesis Project-ESP 09–010

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Gierisch, J.M., Bastian, L.A., Calhoun, P.S. et al. Smoking Cessation Interventions for Patients with Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J GEN INTERN MED 27, 351–360 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-011-1915-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-011-1915-2

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