The relationship of nicotine dependence with sociodemographic characteristics and depresion in the patients admitted to smoking cessation clinic

Aim: In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between cigarette addiction and socio-demographic characteristics and depression in patients who applied smoking cessation outpatient clinics. Method: This retrospective study included 2119 patients who applied to Duzce University Medical School of Family Medicine Smoking Cessation Outpatient Clinic from March 2015 to November 2016. The socio-demographic characteristics of patients who were tested out Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and Beck Depression Scale, were examined. The relationship between nicotine dependence and socio-demographic characteristics and depression of patients was examined. Results: 1468 (69.3%) of the patients were male and 651 (30.7%) were female. In our study, it was observed that gender, marital status, educational status, occupational status, family smoking status had no significant effect on FTND score. The nicotine addiction level in the "20" age group was significantly lower than the "41-50" and "51-60" age groups (p<0.005 for each). The nicotine addiction of alcohol users was found to be higher (p=0.011). As nicotine addiction increased, depression levels were significantly increased (p<0.001). Conclusion: Nicotine addiction was found to be related to alcohol and depression. In the struggle against nicotine addiction, patients should be evaluated with bio-psychosocial approach. In smoking cessation programs, especially young population should be targeted. Keywords: Nicotine addiction, socio-demographic characteristics, smoking cessation, depression